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ABllUAI.,      HISTOHICAL 
pna  MISC12LLAHB0US 

A  D  D  K   B   3   S  E  3 
Of 

jj,  s,   Chsrlea  Dsns  Bnrrsge. 

Grsna  High  priest  of  the 
Grand  Boyel  Arch  Chapter  of 
Msssachusetts 


daring  the  years 
1910  -  1911  -  19 IE 


f^^ 


io 


I  II  D  S  X 

nnuel  lUdress,  1910  Psges  1  to  47 

Including 
Remerka  before  Mt,  Lebsnon 
R.  1.  Chspter,  Mllford       Pege  33 

Before  Massechusetts  Convention 

of  High  Priests  Psge  35 

Reply  to  Toast  "Toleration'^ 
before  Aurora  Grste  Chepter 
of  Rose  Croix,  Brooklyn,  11.  Y 

Page  38 

Before  St.  Paul's  R.  A. 

Chapter,  Boston  Page  41 

Before  Keystone  R«  A.  Chapter 
Poxhorough  Page  45 

Annual  Address,  1911  Pages  1  to  36 

Including 
Remarks  at  One  hundredth 
Anniversary  of  '78shlngton 
R*  A«  Chapter,  Salem        Page  25 

At  25th  Anniversary  of 
Royal  Arch  Chapter  of  the 
Tabernacle,  Maiden  Page  29 


At  Constitution  of  Cambridge 
Council  Page  33 


KAnnual  Address,  1912  Pages  1  to  55 

r  Including 

■|      Remarks  on  receiving  flag 

H|i      presented  to  St*  John^s  R.  A* 

^m  Chapter,  East  Boston        Page  26 

^K      On  meaning  and  Symbolism 

of  Capitular  Masonry        Page  30 

Before  Grand  Holy  d»  A. 

Chapter  of  Pennsylvania      Page  51 


es 


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ic   to: 


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taa  Jtlocf  cTv:' 


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d- .  XT .  ft  yv^-fj'^ ; 


Grand  High  Priest's  Address 


Boston,  December  13,  1910. 
To  the  Grand  Royal  Arch  Chapter  of  Massachusetts  : 

From  lofty  Greylock  to  the  sand  dunes  of  Nantucket;  from 
the  hills  that  face  Monadnock  to  the  waves  that  gently  lap  the 
shore  at  Swansea ;  from  the  wooded  sources  of  the  Deerfield,  high 
on  Hoosac  Mountain,  to  the  bluff  at  Winthrop,  overlooking  Bos- 
ton's island-studded  harbor,  the  last  days  of  the  year  find  the  con- 
stituent Chapters  of  our  beloved  Grand  Royal  Arch  Chapter  of 
Massachusetts  generally  thriving,  prosperous,  larger  in  numbers, 
stronger  in  zeal  and  purpose,  with  increased  wealth  and,  above  all, 
with  heightened  enthusiasm.  From  every  viewpoint  the  year  that 
closes  to-night  has  been  most  prosperous,  and  we  may  well  con- 
gratulate those  who  have  labored  so  well  in  the  past  upon  the 
fact  that  the  harvest  of  to-day  fully  justifies  and  rewards  their 
careful  planting  and  attendant  care.  For  not  to  me  is  the  credit 
for  the  results  obtained,  even  as  I  should  not  have  deserved  the 
blame,  if,  with  equal  labor  on  my  part,  the  tides  of  general  busi- 
ness had  ebbed  to  disaster.  The  total  membership  of  the  subordi- 
nate Chapters  on  August  31,  1910  was  22,053,  a  net  gain  of  596 
for  the  year. 

We  have  a  right  to  be  proud  that  harmony  prevails  in  our  Coun- 
cils, that  men  of  such  high  character  and  standing  in  the  com- 
munity head  the  various  Chapters,  and  that  officers  and  members 
are  universally  animated  by  an  enduring  devotion  for  our  beauti- 
ful Rite. 

But  in  our  rejoicing  we  cannot  but  remember  that  there  are 
many  vacant  places  in  our  membership  ;  that  during  the  year  we 
have  seen  many  a  loved  Companion  pass  under  the  Royal  Arch  of 
Silence  into  the  Life  Eternal. 


In  that  high  courage  inspired  by  the  sublime  truths  of  Gorl 
taught  before  our  altars,  and  exemplified  in  the  daily  lives  of  our 
members  they  have  bravely  fought  the  last  great  battle  of  life  and 
now  lie  at  rest.  As  we  meet  here  to-day,  let  us  recall  their  vir- 
tues, their  merits,  their  high  resolves,  their  achievements;  and, 
with  Sorrow's  biting  grief,  etch  upon  the  tablets  of  memory  our 
tribute  to  their  worth,  the  record  of  our  affection,  of  that  true 
fraternity  we  attain  within  the  Chapter's  guarded  gates.  They 
have,  indeed,  joined  the 

*■'  immortal  dead  who  live  again 
In  minds  made  better  by  their  presence ;  live 
In  pulses  stirred  to  generosity, 
In  <lefds  of  daring  rectitude,  in  scorn 
Of  miserable  aims  that  end  with  self. 
In  thoughts  sublime  that  pierce  the  night  like  stars, 
And  with  their  mild  persistence  urge  man's  search 
To  vaster  issues." 

Two  of  the  permanent  members  of  this  Grand  Chapter  during 
the  year  have  passed  beyond  the  lasjt  veil  of  life.  Right  Excellent 
Companion  George  W.  Storer,  of  Arlington,  and  Right  Excellent 
Companion  Lucius  Field,  of  Clinton,  both  Past  Grand  Kings. 
Right  Excellent  Companion  Storer  was  strong  and  decided  by 
nature,  of  large  ability,  and  a  devoted  student  of  Masonry. 

As  one  who  loved  him  wrote : 

"  In  his  death  the  Masonic  Institution  lost  an  indefatigable 
worker  of  marked  executive  ability,  and  the  Fraternity  a  loyal 
and  dearly  beloved  Brother." 

Right  Excellent  Companion  Field  lived  an  active  life,  filled 
with  duties  in  many  directions,  and  was  one  of  Clinton's  most 
prominent  men.  Tall,  of  commanding  presence,  gracious  in  man- 
ner, a  man  of  gentle  spirit,  well  may  his  lifelong  friend.  Right 
Excellent  Jonathan  Smith,  say  of  him  : 

"  His  whole  life  exemplified  the  highest  teachings  of  Masonry, 
the  virtues  of  the  good  man,  the  just  and  upright  citizen  and  the 
affectionate  and  loyal  friend." 

DKCISIONS 

Reference  to  the  Constitution  and  General  Regulations  has 
sufficed  to  answer  most  of  the  questions  propounded  during  the 
year  by  the  officers  of  the  Chapters. 


To  E.-.  Lf^onard  W.  Ross,  High  Priest  of  St.  Andrew's  Royal 
Arch  Chapter,  asking  whether  a  Companion  should  be  admitted 
U)  Chapter  meetings,  he  being  a  member  who  had  been  declared 
hv  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Massachusetts  to  have  been  irregularly 
made  a  Mason,  because  of  false  answers  in  his  application  to  the 
Lodge  (he  having  stated  that  he  had  never  before  applied  and 
never  been  rejected^ : 

Ruled:  That  as  the  action  of  the  Grand  Lodge  took  away  his 
rights  as  a  Mason,  that  he  could  not  attend  Chapter  meetings 
until  healed. 

To  E.-.  William  H.  Wilder,  High  Priest  of  new  Chapter  at 
Gardner,  on  formation  of  Chapter : 

Ruled:  That  the  policy  of  the  Grand  Royal  Arch  Chapter  of 
Massachusetts  unquestionably  disapproved  of  naming  new  Chap- 
ters for  living  men. 

DISPENSATIONS 

The  first  dispensation  granted  by  me  was  on  Dec.  9,  1909,  to 
organize  a  new  Chapter  at  Gardner.  I  took  great  pleasure  in 
granting  this,  for  I  went  to  Gardner  as  a  young  man  fresh  from 
college,  there  studied  and  began  the  practice  of  law,  married  and 
settled,  and  there  all  my  children  were  born. 

The  remembrance  of  the  beauties  of  her  woods  and  hills  is  still 
fresh  and  clear,  and  the  winds  that  fan  her  brow  carry  their  fra- 
grance across  the  State  to  me,  ever  renewing  the  longing  of  the 
years. 

On  Nov.  30,  1910,  1  constituted  Gardner  Royal  Arch  Chapter, 
and  with  the  generous  assistance  of  R.*.  E.*.  Warren  P.  Dudley, 
Deputy  Grand  High  Priest,  R.'.  E.*.  George  O.  Sheldon,  Grand 
King,  R.'.  E.-.  Fred  H.  Scott,  Grand  Scribe,  and  E.*.  Lorenzo  L. 
Green,  Grand  Lecturer,  installed  its  officers. 

The  Chapter  begins  life  with  one  hundred  and  twenty-five 
members,  and,  knowing  the  people  of  that  town  and  section  as  I 
do,  I  confidently  believe  that  it  has  a  large  promise  for  the  future, 
and  that  it  will  be  a  credit  to  this  Grand  Chapter  and  an  honor  to 
the  Capitular  Rite. 

Under  the  authority  of  the  Grand  Chapter  given  at  the  Quar- 
terly June  Convocation,  on  September  13,  a  dispensation  was 
granted  to  form  a  new  Chapter  at  Ipswich.     This  was  approved 


by  Amity  Royal  Arch  Chapter,  of  Beverly,  and  by  R.*.  E.'. 
Charles  H.  Preston,  District  Deputy  Grand  High  Priest  for  the 
Second  District.  Before  its  issue  a  special  report  was  made  to 
me  by  K.\  Lorenzo  L.  Green,  Grand  Lecturer,  who  visited  the 
town  for  the  purpose.     This  report  is  as  follows  :  — 


Medford,  Mass.,  Sept.  10,  1910. 

Most  Excellent  Charles  Dana  Burrage,  Grand  High 
Priest  of  the  Grand  Royal  Arch  Chapter  of  Massa- 
chusetts, Boston,  Mass.  :  — 

Dear  Sir  and  Most  Excellent  Companion,  —  Agreeably  to  your 
desire  that  I  investigate  conditions  at  Ipswich  relative  to  starting 
the  proposed  Chapter  of  Royal  Arch  Masons  in  that  town,  I  beg 
leave  to  report : 

That  on  September  9  I  went  to  Ipswich  and  met  by  appoint- 
ment Excellent  Companion  Tozer  and  several  of  the  petitioners 
for  the  dispensation,  and  in  their  company  inspected  the  Masonic 
apartments.  These  apartments  occupy  the  entire  top  story  of  a 
recently  erected  business  block,  are  of  fair  size,  good  proportions 
and  convenient  arrangement,  and,  in  addition  to  the  Lodge, 
preparation  and  Tyler's  rooms,  include  a  kitchen,  supper  room 
and  club  room,  or  anteroom,  for  members.  These  quarters  are  at 
present  occupied  by  John  T.  Heard  Lodge  of  Masons.  My  inspec- 
tion naturally  had  special  reference  as  to  their  adaptability  to 
Chapter  purposes.  I  found  that  due  provision  had  been  made  for 
the  .  .  .  and  all  arrangements  pertaining  to  the  apartments 
seemed  to  me  to  be  adequate  for  a  proper  presentation  of  the 
degrees. 

I  found  that  nothing  in  the  way  of  regalia,  paraphernalia  or 
property  had  as  yet  been  provided,  the  petitioners  naturally  not 
desiring  to  obligate  themselves  to  take  and  pay  for  the  same  until 
they  received  assurance  that  their  petition  would  be  granted.  I 
was  shown,  however,  a  list  of  what  they  proposed  to  order,  which 
seemed  to  me  comprehensive  and  to  include  everything  necessary. 
The  ... 

Furthermore,  I  was  assured  by  Excellent  Companion  Tozer 
that  sufficient  sums  had  been  subscribed  to  enable  the  petitioners 


to  pay  cash  for  everything  needed  in  the  way  of  regalia,  parapher- 
nalia and  property,  and  that  when  the  first  meeting  is  held,  in 
October,  for  purposes  of  work  and  the  conferring  of  degrees,  the 
petitioners  will  be  in  a  position  to  start  the  Chapter  absolutely 
free  from  debt. 

I  trust  that  this  report  will  be  found  adequate  to  satisfy  the 
object  of  my  investigation  and  to  cover  the  points  concerning 
which  you  especially  wish  to  be  informed,  but  if  further  informa- 
tion is  desired  by  you  I  shall  be  most  happy  to  continue  my  in- 
quiries, and  shall  be  entirely  at  your  service. 

Very  truly  and  fraternally  yours, 

Lorenzo  L.  Green, 

Grand  Lecturer. 

Dispensations  have  been  granted  to  hold  District  Grand  Chap- 
ters of  Instruction  as  follows  :  — 

1st  District     R.-.  E.-.  Frank  F.  Cook,  District  Deputy  Grand 
Priest,  at  East  Boston,  February  22. 

9ih  District     R.-.  E.-.  Albert  H.  Martin,  District  Deputy  Grand 
High  Priest,  at  Natick,  February  22. 

10th  District     R.*.  E.-.  John  A.  DeCamp,  District  Deputy  Grand 
High  Priest,  at  North  Adams,  February  25. 

•Sth   District     R.*.    E.'.   David    T.    Montague,    District    Deputy 
Grand  High  Priest,  at  Somerville,  March  19. 

tJtli   District   .R.'.  E.-.  Edward  J.  Reece,  District  Deputy  Grand 
High  Priest,  at  Springfield,  April  15. 

2d   District     R.*.    E.*.    Charles    H.    Preston,    District    Deputy 
Grand  High  Priest,  at  Beverly,  April  19. 

11th   District     R.-.   E.'.   Charles    W.    Godfrey,    District    Deputy 
Grand  High  Priest,  at  Fitchburg,  April  19. 

(I  personally  attended  all  of  the  above  except  the  last,  at  Fitch- 
l>urg,  having  a  Patriot's  Day  engagement  at  St.  Paul's  Chapter, 
Boston,  in  the  evening.) 

Dispensations  granted  to  hold  elections  of  officers  to  fill  va- 
cancies : 

Feb.     9,  1910     To  Bancroft  Royal  Arch  Chapter,  of  Ayer,   to 
elect  Treasurer. 

May     7,  1910     To    Union    Royal    Arch    Chapter,  of  Athol,  to 
elect  Principal  Sojourner. 


MISCELLANEOUS    DISPENSATIONS    GRANTED 

Dec.  10,  1909  To  Sylvester  Baxter  Royal  Arch  Chapter,  of 
West  Harwich,  to  hold  its  regular  annual  meet- 
ing on  Saturday,  December  18,  instead  of  on 
Saturday,  Decemljer  25,  a  holiday. 

June  23,  1910  To  Wareham  Royal  Arch  Chapter,  U.-.  D.'.,  of 
Wareham,  to  hold  regular  convocation,  falling 
on  July  4,  a  holiday,  on  Tuesday,  July  5. 

June  23,  1910  To  Cambridge  Royal  Arch  Chapter,  of  Cam- 
bridge, to  appear  in  public  in  regalia,  but  wear- 
ing only  collars  and  aprons,  for  the  purpose  of 
participating  in  the  laying  of  the  corner-stone 
of  the  new  Masonic  Temple,  in  Cambridge,  on 
June  30. 

Aug.  22,  1910  To  Sutton  Royal  Arch  Chapter,  of  Lynn,  to 
hold  regular  meeting  on  September  8,  at  East 
Saugus,  their  hall  being  under  repair. 

Nov.  16,  1910  To  Dorchester  Royal  Arch  Chapter,  of  Dorches- 
ter, to  attend  divine  worship  at  St.  John's  Uni- 
versalist  Church,  Virginia  Street,  Upham's  Corner, 
Dorchester,  on  the  morning  of  Sunday,  Dec.  4, 
1910,  the  occasion  being  that  of  the  fifteenth  anni- 
versary of  the  laying  of  the  corner-stone  of  said 
church  by  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Masons  of  Massa- 
chusetts. 

Nov.  26,  1910  To  St.  Stephen's  Royal  Arch  Chapter,  Quincy, 
to  attend  divine  service  at  Wollaston,  Sunday, 
December  11,  with  regalia. 

With  one  exception  (which  I  have  since  learned  was  unneces- 
sary), 1  have  declined  to  grant  any  dispensations  to  Chapters  to 
shorten  the  constitutional  time  between  reception  of  application 
and  ballotting,  or  to  work  the  Past,  Most  Excellent  and  Royal 
Arch  Degrees  the  same  evening,  when  requested,  for  the  purpose 
of  enabling  the  candidate  to  obtain  his  Commandery  Degrees  at 
an  earlier  date,  or  for  similar  reasons. 

•  I  consider  that  the  authority  placed  in  the  hands  of  the  Grand 
High  Priest  to  grant  such  dispensations  should  be  reserved  for 
emergencies. 

In  this  connection  I  would  call  attention  to  an  increasing  practice, 
particularly  in  and  near  Boston,  for  Chapters  to  work  each  other's 
candidates  on  different  degrees  so  as  to  shorten  the  time  between 
ballot  and  exaltation. 


I  would  make  no  recommendation,  at  this  time,  for  legislation, 
but  would  caution  all  Chapters  that  such  practices  are  an  abuse  of 
their  privileges. 

The  fundamental  requirements  should  never  be  varied,  that 
demand  that  the  several  degrees  should  always  be  worked  with 
dignity,  in  full,  with  sufficient  intervals  of  time  between  the  degrees 
to  permit  the  candidates  to  properly  receive  and  digest  their  beauti- 
ful and  impressive  lessons.  To  rush  the  neophyte  through  all  the 
degrees  within  a  few  days  is  not  only  to  deprive  him  of  a  proper 
enjoyment  and  understanding  of  them,  but,  in  many  cases,  results 
in  wearied  indifference  on  his  part  through  the  years  that  follow. 
The  Grand  Chapter  may  well  take  cognizance  of  the  fact  that  the 
Scottish  Rite  in  Massachusetts  no  longer  confers  the  final  Con- 
sistory, or  32d  Degree,  except  after  a  considerable  interval,  thus 
appreciably  increasing  its  dignity  and  importance. 

I  would  not  be  understood  as  criticizing  the  ordinary  courtesies 
between  Chapters,  but  only  such  practices  as  amount  to  a  virtual 
violation  of  the  Regulations  in  spirit,  if  not  in  letter. 

CONSTITUTION    OF    NEW    CHAPTERS 

In  addition  to  the  Constitution  of  Gardner  Royal  Arch  Chapter, 
already  referred  to,  I  constituted  Wareham  Royal  Arch  Chapter, 
of  Wareham,  on  Monday,  October  24,  at  a  special  convocation  of 
this  Grand  Chapter,  and  with  the  courteous  assistance  of  R.\  E.*. 
Warren  P.  Dudley,  Deputy  Grand  High  Priest,  R.-.  E.-.  Edwin 
S.  Crandon,  Past  Deputy  Grand  High  Priest,  W.  H.  H.  Soule, 
Past  Grand  Scribe,  and  E.'.  Lorenzo  L.  Green,  Grand  Lecturer, 
installed  its  officers. 

Forty-six  names  were  upon  the  Charter  roll.  The  spirit  of 
love  for  Capitular  Masonry  shown  by  these  Companions  and  the 
highly  honorable  record  of  the  ancient  lodges  to  which  they  be- 
long give  every  augury  of  a  long  and  prosperous  life  for  the  new 
Chapter. 

The  following  letter  speaks  for  itself : 

Wareham  Royal  Arch  Chapter, 

Wareham,  Mass.,  November  8,  1910. 
Mr.  Charles  Dana  Burrage,  Grand  High  Priest :  — 

Most  Excellent  Companion,  —  At  the  regular  convocation 
Nov.   7,   1910,   by  vote   of  Wareham    Royal  Arch  Chapter  the 


Secretary  was  instructed  to  convey  to  the  Grand  High  Priest  the 
thanks  and  appreciation  of  the  Chapter  for  the  beautiful  and  im- 
pressive service  rendered  at  the  constitution  of  Wareham  Royal 
Arch  Chapter  and  the  installation  of  its  officers,  on  the  evening  of 
Oct.  24,  1910. 

We  were  much  pleased  at  that  time  to  receive  the  Grand  High 
Priest   and  so  many  of  the  Grand  officers.      The  occasion  and 
what  it  means  will  long  be  remembered  by  this  Chapter. 
Fraternally  and  sincerely, 

Isaac  N.  Marshall, 

Secretary  pro  tern. 

NEW    CHAPTERS 

It  Has  been  the  policy  of  this  Grand  Chapter  to  use  extreme 
conservatism  in  forming  new  Chapters,  and  not  to  approve  such 
action  except  in  a  community  that  unmistakably  evidenced  its 
claims  for  consideration.  But  Massachusetts  is  prosperous,  and 
increasing  in  population,  and,  with  nearly  60,000  Blue  Lodge 
Masons  within  her  borders,  there  is  increasing  demand  for  ad- 
ditional Chapters. 

During  the  year  a  dispensation  has  been  granted  for  a  new 
Chapter  at  Ipswich. 

VISITATIONS 

Receiving  many  invitations  to  visit  Chapters  from  all  parts  of 
the  State,  I  have  accepted  all  (with  two  exceptions,  where  I  had 
previously  accepted  other  engagements,  and  one  to  attend  with 
Deputy.)  As  Grand  High  Priest  I  have  made  thirty-eight  visits 
to  Chapters  and  at  exemplifications,  attended  six  Grand  Chaptei- 
(Convocations  (including  this  annual  and  the  constitution  of  two 
new  Chapters) ,  and  also  attended  on  fourteen  other  occasions,  in 
all  fifty-eight,  upon  all  of  which  (except  seven  only)  formal  ad- 
dresses were  made,  and,  incidentally,  thirty-three  different  Chap- 
ters out  of  the  seventy-nine  in  Massachusetts  were  visited  in  ses- 
sion in  their  Chapter  Halls.  I  have  endeavored  to  have  as  large 
a  suite  as  possible  of  Grand  officers.  Past  High  Priests  and  Coun- 
cils accompany  me  on  visits  to  Chapters,  and  the  cordial  response 
of  these  Companions  to  my  requests  has  doubled  the  value  and 
the    enjoyment   of    these    occasions.      I    desire    to    express   my 


gratitude  in  the  warmest  terms  to  all  those  who  have  shared  these 
pleasures  with  me.  To  Excellent  Wilfred  D.  Smith,  of  Waltham, 
Excellent  Horace  A.  Carter,  of  Newton,  Excellent  Frank  P. 
Rhoades,  of  Cambridge,  Excellent  E.  O.  Burton,  of  Clinton  and 
Excellent  Charles  E.  Moss,  of  South  Boston,  who  have  on  various 
visitations  acted  as  Grand  Captain  of  the  Host,  I  am  especially 
grateful,  as  well  as  to  R.-.  E.-.  Robert  W.  Browning,  District 
Deputy  Grand  High  Priest  of  the  Sixth  District,  who  joined  me 
on  every  visit  to  Chapters  except  three. 

The  list  of  visitations,  including,  also,  most  of  the  occasions 
where  I  have  attended  officially  as  Grand  High  Priest,  is  as  fol- 
lows :  — 

LIST    OF    VISITATIONS 

Dec.  21,  1909.     Reception  by  home  Chapter,  Newton  Royal  Arch 
Chapter,  Newtonville. 

Horace  A.  Carter,  High  Priest. 
Dec.  25,  1909.     Christmas  celebration  by  Chapter  of  the  Sheki- 
nah,  Chelsea. 

Alfred  Anderson,  High  Priest. 
Dec.  28,  1909.     Grand  Lodge  of  Masons  of  Massachusetts,  Feast 
of  St.  John. 

M.-.  W.-.  Dana  J.  Flanders,  Grand  Master. 
Jan.  20,  1910.     Waltham  Royal  Arch  Chapter.    Installed  officers, 
with  assistance  of   M.'.  E.-.  Harry  Hunt,  Past 
Grand  High  Priest. 

Wilfred  D.  Smith,  High  Priest. 
Jan.  26,  1910.     Past  High  Priest's  Association  of  First  Capitular 
District.     Annual  Banquet, 
Jos.  T.  Paul,  President. 
Jan.  28,  1910.     Boston  Commandery  K.  T.  Ladies'  Night. 

James  S.  Blake,  Eminent  Commander. 
Feb.  17,  1910.     Somerville    Royal    Arch    Chapter.       In   special 
honor  to  R.-.  E.-.  David  T.  Montague,  District 
Deputy  Grand  High  Priest  for  8th  District. 
R.  Stanley  Smith,  High  Priest. 
The  sudden  death,  in  the  anteroom,  of  Arthur 
B.  Cunningham,  a  member,  caused  the  abandon- 
ment of  the  program  and  banquet,  and  turned  the 
meeting  into  a  Chapter  of  sorrow.     The  Recep- 
tion Committee  of  Past  High  Priests  accompanied 
the  body  home,  and  the  flowers  intended  for  the 
Grand  officers  were  laid  upon  the  casket  of  the 
dead. 

d 


Feb.  22,  1910  Exemplification  of  1st  District  at  East  Boston 
with  St.  John's  Royal  Arch  Chapter. 

R.*.  E.-.  Frank   F.  Cook,   District    Deputy 
Grand  High  Priest. 

Feb.  22.  1910  Exemplification  of  9th  District  at  Natick  with 
Parker  Royal  Arch  Chapter. 

R.-.  E.-.  Albert  H.  Martin,  District  Deputy 
Grand  High  Priest. 

Feb.   24,  1910     Mt.  Lebanon  Royal  Arch  Chapter,  Milford. 
Clarence  A.  Lilley,  High  Priest. 

Feb.  25,  1910  Exemplification  of  10th  District  at  North  Adams, 
with  Composite  Royal  Arch  Chapter. 

R.-.  E.*.  John  A.  DeCarap.  District  Deputy 
Grand  High  Priest. 

Mar.     8,  1910     Order  of  High  Priesthood. 

M.*.  E.-.  Warren  B.  Ellis,  President.     Address 
on  ''  Masonic  Memories." 

Mar.  10,1910  Norfolk  Royal  Arch  Chapter,  Hyde  Park. 
Home  Chapter  of  E.*.  E.  J.  Ellis,  Grand  Master 
Third  Veil. 

Frederick  C.  Cobb.  High  Priest. 

Mar.  15.  1910  Newton  Royal  Arch  Chapter,  Newton ville.  Past 
High  Priests'  Night. 

Horace  A.  Carter,  High  Priest. 

Mar.  19,  1910  Exemplification  of  8th  District  at  Somerville  with 
Somerville  Royal  Arch  Chapter. 

R.-.  E.*.  David  T.  Montague,  District  Deputy 
Grand  High  Priest. 

Mar.  24,  1910  Aurora  Grata  Chapter  Rose  Croix,  Ancient  and 
Accepted  Scottish  Rite,  Brooklyn,  N.  Y.  Feast 
of  Paschal  Lamb. 

Response  to  toast  "  Toleration." 

Apr.     6,  1910     Royal  Arch  Chapter  of  the  Shekinah,  Chelsea. 
Past  High  Priests'  Night.     Acceptance  of  elec- 
tion to  Honorary  Membership  Home  Chapter  of 
Rev.  and  E.*.  R.  Perry  Bush,  Grand  Chaplain. 
Alfred  Anderson,  High  Priest. 

Apr.     8,  1910     Franklin    Royal  Arch  Chapter,  Greenfield.     In 
especial  honor  to  R.-.  E.'.  Edward  J.  Reece,  Dis- 
trict Deputy  Grand  High  Priest  for  5th  District. 
John  B.  Clark,  High  Priest. 

10 


Apr.  15-,  1910  Exemplification  of  5th  District  at  Springfield,  with 
Morning  Star  Royal  Arch  Chapter.. 

R.-.  E.'.  E.  J.  Reece,  District  Deputy  Grand 

High  Priest. 

Apr.  19,  1910  Exemplification  of  2d  District  at  Beverly,  with 
Amity  Royal  Arch  Chapter. 

R.-.  E.*.  Charles  H.  Preston,  District  Deputy 
Grand  High  Priest  (afternoon). 

Apr.  19,1910  St.  Paul's  Royal  Arch  Chapter,  Boston  (evening), 
Patriot's  Day. 

W.  M.  Farringtou,  High  Priest. 

Apr.  25,  1910  Dorchester  Royal  Arch  Chapter,  Dorchester. 
Dedication  of  flag. 

Harry  J.  Baker,  High  Priest. 

Apr.  29,  1910     Houghton  Royal  Arch  Chapter,  Marlborough. 
Charles  S.  Thomson,  High  Priest. 

May     9,  1910     St.  Mark's  Royal  Arch  Chapter,  Taunton.     In 
especial  honor  to  R.'.  E.'.  Lewis  M.  Witherell, 
District  Deputy  Grand  High  Priest  for  3d  District. 
Enos  D.  Williams,  High  Priest. 

May  11,  1910     Holten  Royal  Arch  Chapter,  Dan  vers.     In  espe- 
cial honor  to  R.-.  E.-.  Charles  H.  Preston,  District 
Deputy  Grand  High  Priest  for  2d  District. 
Arthur  E.  Perkins,  High  Priest. 

May  17,  1910  Eureka  Royal  Arch  Chapter,  Worcester. 
Arthur  H.  Parker,  High  Priest. 
(Unable  to  accept  invitation  from  Menotomy 
Royal  Arch  Chapter,  of  Arlington,  for  same  even- 
ing, on  occasion  of  visit  of  Past  High  Priests' 
Association  of  8th  District,  and  election  to  honor- 
ary membership.  R.*.  E.*.  Warren  P.  Dudley, 
Deputy  Grand  High  Priest,  went  in  my  stead.) 

May  18,  1910  Thomas  Royal  Arch  Chapter.  Fitchburg.  In 
especial  honor  to  R.*.  E.*.  Charles  W.  Godfrey, 
District  Deputy  Grand  High  Priest  for  11th 
District. 

Clarence  L.  Trowbridge,  High  Priest. 

May  23,  1910     Walden  Royal  Arch  Chapter,  Concord.    In  espe- 
cial honor  to  R.*.  E.*.  Robert  W.  Browning,  Dis- 
trict Deputy  Grand  High  Priest  for  6th   District. 
Harry  A.  Douglass,  High  Priest. 

11 


May  27,  1910     Winthrop  Royal  Arch  Chapter,  Winthrop.     In 
special  honor  to  R.*.  E.-.  Frank  F.  Cook,  District 
Deputy  Grand  High  Priest  for  let  District. 
Guy  H.  Maynard,  High  Priest. 

June  1,  1910  Dalhousie  Lodge,  Newton ville.  Fiftieth  Anni- 
versary. 

Charles  E.  Hatfield,  Worshipful  Master. 

June     9,  1910     Pentalpha  Royal  Arch  Chapter,  East  Weymouth, 
In  special  honor  to  R.-.  E.*.  Eben  H.  Cain,  Dis- 
trict Deputy  Grand  High  Priest  for  7th  District. 
Gardner  R.  P.  Barker,  High  Priest. 

June  14,  1910  King  Solomon  Royal  Arch  Chapter,  Warren. 
Fiftieth  Anniversary. 

John  B.  Canfield,  High  Priest. 

June  15,  1910     Keystone    Royal    Arch    Chapter,    Foxborough. 
Fiftieth  Anniversary.  Ladies'  Night.  Home  Chap- 
ter of  E.'.  Charles  W.  Bemis,  Grand  Steward. 
Henry  E.  Fairbanks,  High  Priest. 

June  22,  1910     Northampton  Royal  Arch  Chapter,  Northampton. 
Ralph  H.  Clark,  High  Priest. 

June  30,  1910  Escorted  in  procession  by  Cambridge  Royal  Arch 
Chapter,  Irving  C.  Langley,  High  Priest,  at  lay- 
ing of  corner-stone  of  new  Masonic  Temple  at 
Cambridge.  Assisted  in  laying  corner-stone  by 
the  courtesy  and  at  the  request  of  M.\  W.*. 
Dana  J.  Flanders,  Grand  Master  of  Masons  of 
Massachusetts. 

July  14,  1910  Clambake  of  Fall  River  Royal  Arch  Chapter, 
Fall  River  (informal). 

William  J.  Gardner,  High  Priest. 

Sept.  1,1910  Concord  Royal  Arch  Chapter,  South  Framing- 
ham.  Social  meeting.  Blue  Lodge  members 
specially  invited. 

C.  E.  B.  Chase,  High  Priest. 

Sept.  12,  1910     Royal  Arch  Chapter  of  the  Shekinah,  Chelsea. 
Alfred  Anderson,  High  Priest. 
On    the    occasion    of   visit   of   delegations    from 
Carleton  Chapter,  St.  John,  N.  B.    and    Union 
Chapter,  Yarmouth,  N.  S. 


12 


Sept.  20, 1910     Newton  Royal  Arch  Chapter,  Newton ville. 
C.  Arthur  Boutelle,  High  Priest. 
Public  installation  of  officers  by  E.-.  Charles  W. 
Delano,  Grand  Lecturer.     Ladies'  Night.     Ac- 
ceptance of  election  to  Honorary  Membership. 

Sept.  22,1910  Waverly  Royal  Arch  Chapter,  Melrose.  Public 
installation  of  officers  by  M.'.  E.'.  Harry  Hunt, 
Past  Grand  High  Priest.     Ladies'  Night. 

Willis  O.  Chapman,  High  Priest. 
Home  Chapter  of  Rev.  and  E.-.  Paul  Sterling, 
Grand  Chaplain. 

Sept  28,1910  Reading  Royal  Arch  Chapter,  Reading.  Home 
Chapter  of  R.-.  E.-.  George  O.  Sheldon,  Grand 
King. 

E.  A.  Wilkins,  High  Priest. 

Oct.  17,  1910  Clinton  Royal  Arch  Chapter,  Clinton.  Home 
Chapter  of  E.-.  E.  O.  Burton,  Grand  Royal  Arch 
Captain. 

Oct.  24,  1910  Special  Convocation  of  Grand  Royal  Arch  Chap- 
ter. Constitution  and  Consecration  of  Wareham 
Royal  Arch  Chapter,  Wareham. 

John  Huxtable,  High  Priest. 
Installed  officers,  with  assistance  of  E.".  Lorenzo 
L.  Green,  Grand  Lecturer,  R.\  E.*.  Warren  P. 
Dudley,  Deputy  Grand  High  Priest,  R.*.  E.*. 
Edwin  S.  Crandon,  Past  Deputy  Grand  High 
Priest,  R.-.  E.-.  W.  H.  H.  Soule,  Past  Grand 
Scribe. 

Oct.  31,  1910  St.  Mark's  Chapter,  Taunton.  Public  installa- 
tion of  officers  by  M.*.  E.*.  Harry  Hunt,  Past 
Grand  High  Priest,  with  M.-.  E.'.  Samuel  F.  Hub- 
bard, Past  Grand  High  Priest, 'as  Grand  Captain 
of  the  Host.     Ladies'  Night. 

Enos  D.  Williams,  High  Priest. 

Nov.  8,  1910  Miller  Royal  Arch  Chapter,  Franklin.  Installa- 
tion of  officers  by  E.*.  Charles  W.  Delano,  Grand 
Lecturer.  Blue  Lodge  members  invited. 
In  special  honor  to  R.'.  E.'.  Albert  H.  Martin, 
District  Deputy  Grand  High  Priest  for  9th 
District. 

Ezra  L.  Blauchard,  High  Priest. 

13 


Nov.  25,  1910  Morning  Star  Royal  Arch  Chapter,  Springfield. 
Installation  by  R.'-.  E.'.  W.  W.  Wallace,  Past 
District  Deputy  Grand  High  Priest,  assisted  by 
Past  High  Priests.     Ladies'  Night. 

Charles  E.  Hamilton,  High  Priest. 

Nov.  30,  1910  Special  Convocation  of  Grand  Royal  Arch  Chap- 
ter. Constitution  and  Consecration  of  Gardner 
Royal  Arch  Chapter,  Gardner. 

*  William  H.  Wilder,  High  Priest. 
Installed  officers  with  assistance  of  R.-.  E.'.  War- 
ren P.  Dudley,  Deputy  Grand  High  Priest ; 
R.-.  E.-.  George  O.  Sheldon,  Grand  King; 
R.-.  E.-.  Fred  H.  Scott,  Grand  Scribe,  and 
E.'.  Lorenzo  L.  Green,  Grand  Lecturer. 

Dec.      1,  1910     Mt.  Sinai  Royal  Arch  Chapter,  Lawrence.     Fif- 
tieth Anniversary.     Ladies'  Night. 
Dean  K.  Webster,  High  Priest. 

Dec.    12,  1910     Grand    Council    Royal    and    Select    Masters    of 

Massachusetts.     Annual  Session.     Reception   of 

M.-.  P.*.  Graff  M.  Acklin,  General  Grand  Master 

of  General  Grand  Council  of  the  United  States. 

M.-.  I.-.  Everett  C.  Benton,  Grand  Master. 

The  various  addresses  made  on  public  and  other  important 
occasions  having  been  prepared  with  considerable  care,  upon 
special  request,  I  append  to  this  report  a  few  of  the  principal 
ones,  namely : 

Address  to  Mt.  Lebanon  Royal  Arch  Chapter, 
Milford,  February  24. 

Address  on  "  Masonic  Memories "  before  Order 
of  High  Priesthood,  March  8. 

• 
Response  to  toast  "  Toleration  "  before  Aurora 
Grata  Chapter  Rose  Croix,  Ancient  and  Accepted 
Scottish  Rite,  Brooklyn,  N.  Y.,  March  24. 

Address  to  St.  Paul's  Royal  Arch  Chapter,  Bos- 
ton, on  Patriot's  Day,  April  19. 

Address  •  at  Fiftieth  Anniversary  and  Ladies' 
Night  of  Keystone  Royal  Arch  Chapter,  Fox- 
borough,  June  15. 

14 


INSTRUCTIONS    AND    REQUESTS    TO    DEPUTIES 

Among  others,  the  following  special  communication  was  sent  to 
the  several  Deputies  :  — 

Right  Excellent  Gompanions : 

To  you,  chosen  for  your  excellence,  for  pre-eminent  love  for 
the  Capitular  Rite,  for  having  distinguished  yourselves  by  doing 
accurate,  careful  degree  work,  to  you  as  the  particular  personal 
representatives  of  the  Grand  High  Priest  1  would  say  a  few  words 
personally. 

1st.  As  1  wisli  to  emphasize  your  appointment  and  its  honor, 
I  propose  to  visit  the  home  Chapter  of  each  District  Deputy  Grand 
High  Priest  at  some  time  during  the  coming  year.  I  leave  the 
time  and  occasion  to  you,  and  as  this  visit  is  to  be  in  your  special 
honor,  this  should  be  at  some  time  other  than  at  your  regular 
official  visitation.  Please  advise  me  as  to  date  most  desired,  and 
the  nature  of  the  occasion,  what  degree  will  be  worked,  etc.,  remem- 
bering that  these  visits  must  be  distributed  through  the  year. 

2d.  The  following  districts  did  not  have  any  exemplifications 
last  year,  and,  therefore,  under  the  law,  must  have  one  this  year 
of  1910. 

1st  District,  R.-.  E.-.  Frank  F.  Cook 
2d  "  '  "        Charles  H.  Preston 

8th        "  "        David  T.  Montague 

9th        "  "        Albert  H.  Martin 

10th        '*•  '•        John  A.  DeCamp 

12th         ''  "         William  T.  Swain 

Please  arrange  at  once  dates  for  such  exemplifications,  remember- 
ing that  there  are  but  two  Grand  Lecturers.  Please  arrange 
dates  with  them  and  then  notify  me,  Tiie  Giand  Lecturers  are 
Excellent  Lorenzo  L.  Green,  of  Medford,  and  Excellent  Charles 
W.  Delano,  of  Worcester.  ^ 

I  am  glad  to  note  that  nearly  all  of  these  exemplifications  have 
l>een  arranged  for  already  by  the  several  Deputies  concerned.  I 
gratefully  acknowledge  their  zeal,  energy,  and  promptness. 

15 


3d.  r  would  earnestly  request  the  Deputies  of  the  remaining 
Districts,  namely, 

3d    District,  R.-.  E.-.  Lewis  M.  Witherell 
4th        «  "        Clifford  B.  Arnold 

5th         "  "         Edward  J.  Reece 

fith         "  "         Robert  W.  Browning 

7th         "  "         Eben  H.  Cain 

11th         ''  "         Charles  W.  Godfrey 

to  use  their  best  endeavors  to  have  their  districts  hold  exemplifi- 
oations  in  the  year  1910,  believing  that  such  exemplifications  will 
be  for  the  best  ultimate  good  of  the  several  Chapters,  the  District 
and  the  Gi  .apter. 

4th.  Please  remember  that  one  of  the  Grand  Lecturers  will 
visit  any  Chapter  at  any  time,  for  purposes  of  instruction,  by  the 
Chapter  paying  his  expenses  and  services.  (At  exemplifications 
the  Grand  Chapter  pays  the  Lecturer.) 

Please  have  your  Chapters  take  full  advantage  of  this.  I 
would  especially  emphasize  this  matter. 

5th.  I  expect  prompt  information  and  in  full  detail  within 
your  several  districts.  You  are  personally  accountable  for  all 
Chapters  in  your  districts,  and  are  expected  to  visit  them  and 
keep  informed  in  regard  to  them.  You  are  especially  requested 
to  urge  upon  the  Chapters  the  advantages  of  a  permanent  fund 
arid  the  wisdom  of  its  establishment. 

6th.  Every  District  Deputy  Grand  High  Priest  is  expected 
and  personally  requested  by  the  Grand  High  Priest  to  prepaie 
himself  to  install  the  officers  of  any  Chapter  in  his  district  so 
requesting. 

7th.  On  every  official  visit  to  the  several  Chapters  in  your 
districts  you  are  most  earnestly  requested  to  be  attended  with  a 
suite  of  Grand  officers.  Past  High  Priests  and  members  of  the 
Councils  of  the  Chapters  in  your  district.  This  I  regard  as  im- 
portant. Please  send  lists  of  your  visitations  as  soon  as  arranged 
to  all  of  the  Grand  officers. 

16. 


8th.     Your  commission  reads  : 

"  He  is  also  required  to  examine  their  Charters,  Rec- 
ords, By-Laws  and  mode  of  work,  and  see  that  in  all 
their  doings  they  conform  to  the  ancient  customs  of 
Royal  Arch  Masons  and  the  rules  and  regulations 
of  our  Grand  Chapter.  He  will  carefully  inspect  their 
Books  of  Marks. 

"  And  it  is  hereby  enjoined  upon  him  to  make  return  to 
me  of  his  doings  herein,  by  authority  of  this  Commission, 
on  or  before  Dec.  1,  1910." 

Please  bear  these  things  well  in  mind,  especially  to  see  that  all 
Chapters  main  tain  the  dignity  of  the  Order  in  all  the  degree  work, 
particularly  in  the  Past  Master  and  Royal  Arch  Degrees. 

9th.     On  your  official  visitation  to  each  Chap'  our  District 

examine  with  particular  care  the  Books  of  Marks  and  in  your 
annual  report  to  the  Grand  High  Priest  specify,  as  to  each  Chapter, 
the  condition  and  use  of  its  Books  by  answering  the  following 
questions  :  — 

1.  Whether  any  present  members  of  the  Chapters  have 
been  exalted  to  the  Royal  Arch  Degree  whose  Marks 
have  not  been  recorded  in  the  Book  of  Marks.  If  any, 
give  names  and  dates  of  receiving  all  degrees. 

2.  Are  the  Books  of  Marks  well  kept  and  in  good  condition? 

3.  Are  the  Marks  accurately  and  artistically  drawn  and 
are  they  in  accordance  with  the  traditions  and  dignity 
of  the  Order  ? 

4.  Do  the  Council  of  the  Chapter  understand  that  no  can- 
didate should  be  exalted  to  the  Royal  Arch  Degree  un- 
til his  Mark  has  actually  been  recorded  in  the  Book  of 
Marks  ? 

0.  Does  an  intelligible  description  accompany  each  Mark  ? 
10th.  Please  use  your  utmost  influence  to  cause  the  Chapters 
to  use  the  several  Lectures  belonging  to  the  Degrees  and  to  re- 
(|uire  all  candidates  to  give  them  in  open  Chapter  before  receiving 
the  succeeding  degree.  Two  officers  in  each  Chapter  may  well 
be  designated  as  instructors  in  the  Lectures,  and  give  them  at 
every  exemplification  and  from  time  to  time  in  the  Chapter,  espe- 
cially when  there  are  no  degrees  to  be  worked.  The  Grand  High 
Priest  is  an  earnest  believer  in  the  value  of  the  Lectures  and 
unhesitatingly  recommends   their  general   use   by  the   Chapters. 

17 


11th.  Please  remember  that  the  Grand  High  Priest  wishes  to 
discourage  all  undue  haste  and  "  railroading  "  of  candidates,  and 
therefore  please  do  not  forward  to  him  any  requests  for  dispensa- 
tions unless  the  need  is  imperative. 

12th.  Your  attention  is  called  to  Art.  XI  of  the  Constitution 
of  the  Grand  Royal  Arch  Chapter,  as  follows :  — 

"  every  Chapter  of  Royal  Arch  Masons  under  this 
Jurisdiction  shall  be  represented  by  its  High  Priest, 
King  and  Scribe,  or  either  of  them,  in  person  or  by 
their  respective  proxies,  at  every  Convocation  of  the 
Grand  Chapter.      If  any  Chapter  under  this  Jurisilic- 

tion  shall  neglect  to  be 

represented  in  this  Grand  Chapter  for  two  years  in 

succession 

then  the  said  Chapter  shall  forfeit 

its  Charter,  etc." 

The  Grand  High  Priest  would  ask  each  Deputy  to  attend  to  this, 
use  every  endeavor  to  have  every  Chapter  in  his  District  repre- 
sented by  a  member  of  the  Council,  if  possible^  at  every  convoca- 
tion, or  by  proxy  to  a  member  in  any  event.  Please  see  what  you 
can  do,  each  in  his  own  District,  beginning  at  the  next  Quarterly 
Convocation,  March  8. 

Trusting  that  these  various  recommendations  will  be  approved 
and  heartily  followed  by  you,  and  wishing  you  the  best  of  success 
during  your  service,  I  am 

Yours  very  sincerely, 

Charles  Dana  Burrage, 

Chrand  High  Priest  of  the  Grand  Royal  Arch 
Chapter  of  Massachusetts. 
Boston,  Mass.,  Jan.  31,  1910. 

V 
LECTURES 

Recommendation  No.  10,  regarding  lectures,  in  letter  to  Depu- 
ties, has  been  adopted  by  several  Chapters,  to  whom  I  return 
warmest  thanks.  I  was  greatly  pleased  to  find  that  large  audiences 
received  these  lectures  with  applause  and  hearty  approval. 

I  urge  every  Chapter  to  rehearse  the  lectures  whenever  they 
have  no  work,  and  at  all  other  convenient  times. 

The  custom  distinctly  adds  to  the  dignity  of  the  Chapter. 

18 


VISITS    TO    HOME  CHAPTERS  OF  DEPUTIES  AND   GRAND    OFFICERS 

My  suggestion,  in  letter  to  the  Deputies,  that  1  would  be  glad 
to  visit  the  home  Chapter  of  each  Deputy,  was  received  with 
hearty  approval,  and  the  list  of  visits  made,  on  special  invitation 
from  the  High  Priest  in  each  case,  will  show  that  I  have  made 
such  visits  in  every  District,  except  the  Twelfth  or  Cape  District, 
where  illness  and  resignation  of  the  Deputy  prevented. 

I  have  also  made  visits  to  the  home  Chapters  of  Grand  officers, 
making  a  total  of  eighteen  home  Chapters  of  Deputies  and  other 
Grand  officers  visited.  All  these  visits  have  proved  exceedingly 
enjoyable,  and  I  hope  were  of  value  to  the  Craft.  I  recommend 
to  my  successor  to  visit  the  home  Chapter  of  every  Grand  officer 
during  the  next  year,  if  invited,  as  one  of  the  best  methods  avail- 
able of  enhancing  the  importance  and  dignity  of  these  positions. 
1  would  further  emphasize  to  the  Chapters  the  advantage  of  pro- 
viding simple  refreshments  on  such  occasions.  These  visits  should 
always  be  a  pleasure,  not  a  burden,  to  the  Chapter. 

NATIONAL    FLAG 

The  following  suggestion  as  to  the  National  Flag  was  made  to 
the  Chapters  direct :  — 

(granb  Sogal  Arrif  (Hlfupttt  nf 

Office  of  Grand  High  Priest,  March,  1910. 
To  all  Roycd  Arch  Chapters  in  Massachusetts :  — 

Believing  that  every  Royal  Arch  Chapter  is  the  home  of  deep, 
true  and  abiding  patriotism,  of  love  of  country  that  is  entwined 
with  the  heart  strings  of  every  member,  the  Grand  High  Priest 
earnestly  urges  and  recommends  to  every  Chapter  to  display  the 
American  flag  in  the  Chapter  hall  at  every  convocation,  regular, 
and  special. 

If  ever  the  angry  and  menacing  heads  of  Anarchy  and  Disunion 
shall  be  raised  to  threaten  the  life  of  our  great  nation,  in  our 
ancient  institution  will  be  found  one  of  the  most  important  bulwarks 
of*  national  defence,  a  most  potent  force  of  conservatism  and 
unyielding  loyalty,  founded  upon  and  growing  out  of  its  profound 
love  and  reverence  for  God  as  the  great  architect  of  the  universe. 

We  shall  do  well,  therefore,  to  inculcate  at  all  times  respect  for 
the  nation's  emblem,  to  treasure  and  recount  its  honorable  history, 

10 


with  the  glorious  deeds  of  valor  performed  under  its  inspiration, 
and  to  teach  lovingly  and  with  grateful  hearts  the  meaning  of  its 
silent,  irresistible  appeal  to  our  souls  and  consciences,  as  it  waves 
proudly  in  the  free  air  of  heaven,  side  by  side  with  the  Chapter's 
scarlet  symbols. 

Fraternally  yours, 

(haklks  Dana  Burrage, 

Grand  High  Priest. 

As  I  have  visited  the  Chapters  in  all  parts  of  the  State,  1  have 
been  pleased  to  find  the  beautiful  flag  of  our  nation  in  every 
Chapter  hall,  with  but  one  exception,  and  in  that  case  the  delay 
in  obtaining  it  was  but  temporary. 

I  sincerely  trust  that  tiie  near  future  will  see  the  Stars  an<l 
Stripes  in  every  Chapter  meeting  throughout  the  United  States, 
to  emphasize  this  self-evident  truth,  that  in  Masonry  in  this  free 
Republic  is  to  be  found  the  home  of  conservatism,  one  of  the 
strongest  forces  in  all  America  for  the  support  of  patriotism,  and 
of  that  liberty  under  law  for  which  our  fathers  fought  and  died. 

PERMANENT    FUNDS 

Believing  earnestly  that  if  Capitular  Masonry  is  to  endure 
through  the  ages  that  Chapters  must  establish  permanent  funds. 
I  have  upon  every  occasion  urged  their  adoption  upon  the  Chap- 
ters. Such  a  fund  throws  additional  safeguards  around  the  accu- 
mulation of  money  already  in  the  treasury,  encourages  thrift,  dis- 
courages sudden  wasteful  and  extravagant  proposals,  tends  to  in- 
crease the  stability  and  strength  of  the  Institution,  and  to  prevent 
dry-rot,  and  is  a  wise  measure  of  protection  against  the  certain  day 
of  famine  and  of  wrath.  More  than  this,  the  existence  of  a  per- 
manent fund  encourages  bequests,  for  without  it  they  are  valueless. 

I  sent  the  following  requests  to  all  presiding  High  Priests :  — 

(grattb  Sngal  Kxt\\  Qllyapt^r  of 
^  ifflafijaarlfUjai^llfi 

Office  or  the  Grand  High  Priest,  March,  1910. 
To  High  Priest  of  Chapters  :  — 

For  the  convenience  of  Chapters  contemplating  the  establish- 
ment of 

permanent  funds 

and    to    assist    them    in    drafting   proper    By-laws   therefor,  Art. 

20 


XVIII oi  the  Constitution  of  the  Grand  Royal  Arch  Chapter  is 
particularly  called  to  their  attention.     It  is  as  follows  :  — 

ARTICLE     XVIII PERMANENT    FUNDS 

Any  Chapter  under  the  jurisdiction  of  this  Grand  Chapter  that 
now  has  or  shall  in  the  future  have  a  By-law  that  provides  for 
Life  Membership  must  have  the  said  By-law  comply  with  the  fol- 
lowing requirements :  — 

Section  1.  The  Life  Membership  fee  shall  be,  and  shall  con- 
tinue, not  less  than  ten  times  the  fee  for  annual  dues,  but  in  no 
case  shall  it  be  less  than  twenty-five  dollars. 

Sect.  2.  All  moneys  received  for  Life  Membership,  and  such 
other  moneys  as  may  be  added  by  vote  of  the  Chapter,  shall  con- 
stitute a  Permanent  Fund,  which  shall  be  invested  in  the  name 
of  the  Chapter.  The  management  and  investment  of  the  same 
shall  be  placed  in  the  care  of  a  Board  of  Trustees,  who  shall  be 
elected  by  the  Chapter  in  the  Annual  Convocation,  and  shall 
annually  make  a  report  to  the  Chapter  of  the  condition  and 
amount  of  said  fund,  and  how  the  same  shall  be  invested. 

Sect.  3.  That  nothing  but  the  income  of  the  said  fund  shall 
be  used  for  any  purpose  whatsoever  unless  a  notice  in  writing  to 
that  effect  shall  have  been  presented  at  a  regular  convocation  of 
the  Chapter,  and  notice  of  such  intended  action  shall  have  been 
printed  on  the  notices  and  mailed  to  every  member  of  the  Chap- 
ter at  least  ten  days  before  such  action  is  to  be  taken,  and  then 
only  at  a  regular  convocation  of  the  Chapter,  and  by  not  less  than 
ji  two-thirds  vote  of  the  members  present. 

Adopted  March  12,  1907. 
Name  of  Chapter 


Question     1     Has  your  Chapter  a  Permanent  Fund  ? 

2  Date  when  fund  was  established. 

3  Present  amount  of  same. 

4  How  invested?  Please  enclose  copy  of  Trustees' 
last  report,  if  convenient. 

5  Have  the  By-laws  of  the  Chapter  been  made  to 
conform  to  the  requirements  of  Art.  XVIII  of 
Constitution  of  Grand  Royal  Arch  Chapter  as 
adopted  March  12,  1907?  (See  circular  enclosed 
for  copy.) 

21 


6  Approximate   present   annual    increase  of  Perma- 
nent Funds. 

7  What  is  charge  for  degrees  ? 

8  Has  the  Chapter  established  life  membership,  if  so, 
what  is  fee  and  how  many  life  members  have  you  ? 

9  What  are  the  present  annual  dues  of  your  Chapter 
charged  each  member  ? 

10  What  was  the  total  income  of  Chapter,  from  dues 
alone,  in  1909?  What  part  of  same  is  still  uncol- 
lected ? 

*  

1 1  What  were  the  total  current  expenses  of  the  Chapter 

for  the  year  1909  ? 

12  Have  you  the  Constitution  and  Digest  of  the  Grand 
Chapter  March  12,  1901  ? 

Have  you  all  the  amendments  to  date  ? 

List  of  amendments 

Sept.  8,  1903 
Mar.  13,  1906 
Mar.  12,  1907 

amendments  to  Particular  Regulations 

June  9,  1903 

Sept.  13,  1904 

June  13,  1906 

Dec.  12,  1905 

Mar.  13,  1906 

From  the  answers,  it  is  clear  that  many  of  the  most  enterprising 
Chapters  either  have  established  such  funds  in  the  past,  or  are 
now  doing  so,  but  there  are  many  that  have  not  yet  done  any- 
thing about  it. 

I  unhesitatingly  urge  the  matter  upon  their  consideration. 

It  is  only  too  evident  from  the  replies  as  to  expenses  and  in- 
come that  the  majority  of  Chapters  are  living  in  large  part  upon 
the  money  received  from  candidates,  their  dues  alone  being  in- 
sufficient to  pay  the  running  expenses. 

I  firmly  believe  that  if  we  are  to  maintain  our  beautiful  insti- 
tution of  Freemasonry  through  the  centuries  to  come,  that  until 
such  time  as  the  permanent  funds  will  provide  income  all  its 
bodies  must  live  within  their  dues,  leaving  the  larger  part,  at 
least,  of  the  monej  received  from  candidates  to  accumulate. 

22 


In  this  way  alone  shall  we  ever  be  able  to  render  those  large 
services  of  charity  to  dependent  and  suffering  widows  and  children 
to  which  our  solemn  obligations  pledge  us.  Is  it  not  too  true  that 
American  Masons  do  not  as  yet  realize  their  obligations  as  Eng- 
lish Masons  do?  The  Grand  Lodge  of  Massachusetts  deserves 
the  largest  measure  of  credit  for  awaking  at  last  from  its  hundred- 
year  sleep  and  founding  a  Masonic  Home. 

MASONIC    HOME 

I  certainly  hope  that  the  Grand  Chapter  will  not  rest  content 
with  its  recent  gift  to  the  Masonic  Home,  but  will  give  an  annual 
sum  for  its  support,  in  gratitude  that  such  a  home  has  at  last  been 
established  and  to  redeem  in  some  degree  our  obligations  arising 
From  our  oaths  to  God,  that  we  would  listen  to  and  heed  the  cries 
of  the  stricken  and  desolate ;  of  the  widow,  broken  with  grief  and 
thrown  upon  the  world,  of  the  children  deprived  of  protection 
and  left  to  the  cold  charity  of  selfish  interest. 

GRAND  CHAPTER  CONVOCATIONS 

The  full  record  of  the  several  regular  and  special  convocations 
will  appear  in  the  printed  Proceedings. 

The  Service  of  Sorrow  in  March  was  well  received,  and  I 
thank  you  for  your  warm  co-operation  in  thus  recalling  the  illus- 
trious services  of  those  who  have  laid  down  earthly  burdens  and 
passed  over  the  dark  river. 

The  visit  in  June  of  M.*.  E.*.  Nathan  Kingsley,  General  Grand 
High  Priest  of  the  General  Grand  Royal  Arch  Chapter  of  the 
United  States  of  America,  was  most  pleasant  His  studious 
niMiiuer,  high  character  and  attainments  and  evident  devotion  to 
Capitular  Masonry  impressed  the  members  of  the  Grand  Chapter 
most  favorably. 

The  Grand  Chapter  officers  united  in  doing  everything  possible, 
between  daylight  and  midnight,  to  entertain  our  guest,  and  the 
Past  Grand  High  Priests  gave  loyal  service  on  the  Committee. 

At  the  June  Convocation  of  the  Grand  Chapter  there  was  a 
large  attendance  to  meet  Most  Excellent  Kingsley,  seventy-two 
Chapters  out  of  the  seventy-eight  in  the  Commonwealth  being 
represented. 

Past  Grand  High  Priest  Hubbard  was  unwearied,  as  a  commit- 
tee of  one,  in  introducing  the  guest  to  the  many  quaint  and  historic 

23 


sites  of  old  Boston.  M.-.  E.-.  Arthur  G.  Pollard,  Past  General 
Grand  High  Priest,  entertained  the  party  at  Lowell,  in  a  delight- 
ful manner,  and  is  entitled  to  the  warmest  thanks  of  the  Grand 
Chapter  for  his  thoughtful  and  splendid  liberality.  The  following 
letter  speaks  for  itself :  — 

Austin,  Minn.,  June  13,  1910. 
My  Dear  Sir  and  Companion  :  — 

I  arrived  home  yesterday  morning,  on  schedule  time,  feeling 
very  well  indeed,  having  had  some  needed  rest  on  my  journey, 
which  was  entirely  without  incident. 

As  I  look  back,  even  now,  at  the  cordial  spirit  manifested  by 
your  Grand  Chapter  and  the  delightful  entertainment  provided 
for  me  while  visiting  the  Royal  Arch  Masons  of  your  State,  I 
think  they  are  among  the  most  delightful  days  I  have  spent  in  the 
performance  of  my  official  duties. 

The  Grand  Chapter  of  Massachusetts,  through  yourself,  and  its 
committees,  certainly  did  everything  possible  for  my  comfort  aud 
pleasure,  and  I  wish  especially  to  convey  to  the  Companions  of 
your  Jurisdiction,  through  you,  my  most  sincere  and  heartfelt 
thanks  for  the  many  delightful  experiences  of  my  visit. 

I  congratulate  your  Grand  Chapter  and  the  Rojal  Arch  Ma- 
sons of  your  Jurisdiction  on  the  splendid  showing  you  are  making 
in  the  inculcation  of  the  sublime  principles  of  the  Royal  Arch  and 
the  healthy  state  of  Masonic  sentiment  as  I  found  it  to  exist  in 
your  Jurisdiction. 

I  wish  also  especially  to  extend  my  thanks  to  you  for  the  many 
personal  courtesies  received  at  your  hands,  not  forgetting  to  men- 
tion the  artistic  and  literary  souvenirs  so  kindly  furnished  me  for 
my  diversion  and  entertainment,  all  of  which  I  shall  preserve  and 
cherish  as  mementoes  of  my  visit  to  your  city  and  State,  and  of 
my  personal  acquaintance  with  yourself,  whom  I  came  to  esteem 
most  highly  on  account  of  your  personal  worth  as  well  as  the  ex- 
alted position  you  occupy  in  and  out  of  the  Craft  of  your  city  and 
State. 

The  photographs  I  mentioned  have  not  arrived  yet, — as  soon  as 
they  do  I  shall  ask  you  to  kindly  accept  one  of  them  as  a  slight 
token  of  my  personal  esteem. 

Very  sincerely  and  fraternally, 

Nathan  Kingsley, 

General  Grand  High  Priest. 

Charles  Dana  Burrage,  Esq., 

85  Ames  Building, 

Boston,  Mass. 

24 


GRAND    OFFICERS 

The  Grand  officers  deserve  many  thanks  from  me,  for  they 
have  been  most  loyal,  courteous  and  obliging. 

Excellent  Lorenzo  L.  Green  and  E.*.  Charles  W.  Delano, 
(4rand  Lecturers,  deserve  your  grateful  and  appreciative  thanks 
for  good  work,  under  strenuous  conditions,  —  for  most  faithful 
service  undertaken  from  a  great  and  abiding  love  for  the  Rite. 
There  has  been  an  increased  demand  for  their  services  in  attend- 
ing Chapters  for  instruction,  which  is  very  gratifying. 

M.*.  El.*.  J.  Gilman  Waite,  Grand  Secretary,  deserves  the  hearti- 
est commendation  for  the  work  of  the  year.  I  gratefully  acknowl- 
edge his  invaluable  assistance  to  myself,  and  return  him  my 
hearty  thanks.  He  has,  by  hard  labor,  disposed  of  past  accumu- 
lations, caused  by  family  illness,  as  Committee  on  Foreign  Corre- 
spondence, and  will  issue  the  Report  of  Proceedings  for  1910 
early  after  the  close  of  .this  Convocation. 

E.*.  Edward  P.  Hatch,  Grand  Captain  of  the  Host,  has  been  espe- 
cially diligent,  accompanying  me  upon  nearly  all  the  visitations  to 
Chapters.  His  unassuming  and  generous  devotion  to  Capitular 
Masonry  has  been  apparent  during  many  years,  and  he  is  but 
continuing  his  unselfish  service. 

NOTICES 

Most  of  the  Chapters  in  the  State  (all  but  12)  publish  their 
annual  list  of  officers  on  their  notices,  a  convenient  and  commend- 
able custom ;  many  (45)  add  thereto  their  list  of  Past  High 
Priests,  and  a  few  (9)  note,  either  after  the  name  or  by  foot-note, 
such  of  these  as  have  attained  permanent  membership  by  election 
to  office  in  the  Grand  Chapter,  stating  the  position  held. 

I  strongly  urge  upon  every  Chapter  to  adopt  all  these  sugges- 
tions, believing  it  would  conduce  to  the  dignity  and  advantage  of 
the  Rite.  It  would  cost  but  little  more,  as  the  names  are  set  up 
in  type  but  once,  at  the  beginning  of  the  year,  and  may  be  carried 
many  years. 

Bear  in  mind  that  the  printed  records  of  the  Grand  Chapter 
give  the  name  and  year  of  service,  under  the  title  of  office,  but 
not  the  name  of  the  Chapter  to  which  the  honored  incumbent 
belonged. 

25 


MARKS 

The  following  was  sent  to  the  Deputies,  and  has  received  quite 
general  response :  — 

(&ra«b  Snyal  Arrlj  Qllyaptfr  af 
iffia0Bari|U0^ttB 

To  the  District  Deputy  Grand  High  Priests :  — 

For  the  purpose  of  stimulating  interest  in  the  Mark,  to  provide 
means  for  a  more  comprehensive  study  of  the  undoubted  richness 
of  the  treasures  now  in  the  various  Chapter  books,  the  Grand 
High  Priest  requests  each  Deputy  to  procure  from  each  Chapter 
in  his  district  six  copies  of  the  Marks  now  in  their  books  that,  in 
the  opinion  of  the  Council  of  the  Chapter,  may  be  fairly  considered 
"  the  best." 

There  is  no  limit  on  their  action.  They  may  choose  them  be- 
cause of  their  simplicity,  because  they  are,  in  their  opinion,  most 
fairly  representative  according  to  the  known  requirements,  or  be- 
cause of  their  beauty  or  unique  quality  or  intricacy  of  design,  or 
for  any  other  reason. 

Those  in  color  should  be  colored  in  the  copies  Cards  will  be 
furnished  each  Deputy  in  sufficient  number  to  provide  six  for 
each  Chapter.  Put  the  simple  description  of  the  Mark  on  the 
card,  but  no  name,  not  even  the  name  of  the  Chapter. 

The  Deputy  will  forward  the  cards  from  each  Chapter  separately, 
and  the  Grand  Secretary  will  preserve  his  private  record. 

The  cards  will  be  bound  in  a  book,  and  be  kept  open  for  general 
inspection  at  the  Grand  Secretary's  office  and  at  the  grand  convo- 
cations. 

There  will  be  no  competition,  no  award  of  prizes,  no  designa- 
tion of  one  above  another. 

Because  the  Grand  High  Priest  would  like  to  see  such  a  selec- 
tion himself,  he  believes  every  High  Priest,  present  and  past, 
would  also  enjoy  the  opportunity  % 

The  active  and  enthusiastic  co-operation  of  every  Chapter  in  the 
State  is  earnestly  requested,  for  the  good  of  the  Order. 
Fraternally  and  most  sincerely, 

Charles  Dana  Burrage, 

Grand  High  Priest. 
March,  1910. 

I  am  greatly  obliged  to  the  Chapters  for  their  attention  to  this 
request,  involving  labor  and  expense,  and  I  feel  confident  that  the 
Book  of  Marks  so  prepared,  and  now  on  exhibition  in  the  office 
of  the  Grand  Secretary,  fully  justifies  the  effort. 

26 


REQUEST  TO  OTHER  GRAND  CHAPTERS 

Upon  my  request,  through  M.*.  E.-.  Jay  B.  Kline,  Grand  High 
Priest  of  the  Grand  Royal  Arch  Chapter  of  New  York,  Buffalo 
Chapter,  No.  71,  of  Buffalo,  of  that  obedience,  generously  and 
most  courteously  conferred  the  Chapter  Degrees  upon  M.  C. 
Brush,  who  had  been  elected  to  Newton  Royal  Arch  Chapter,  of 
Newton ville,  but  moved  to  Buffalo  before  receiving  the  degrees. 

CONSTITUTION    AND    PARTICULAR    REGULATIONS 

As  but  few  copies  remain  of  the  Constitution  of  this  Grand 
Chapter  (as  1  have  used  them  freely  in  supplying  Chapters),  by 
my  authority  a  new  edition  will  soon  be  issued,  containing  also  all 
the  Particular  Regulations  adopted  to  date,  the  By-Laws  or  Digest 
of  Capitular  Law,  and  the  Services  for  Constitution  of  Chapters, 
Installation  of  Officers  and  for  Burials. 

EXEMPLIFICATIONS 

I  believe  in  the  value  of  exemplifications.  I  feel  quite  confident 
that  Massachusetts  possesses  the  best  Grand  Lecturers  in  the 
country,  and  I  find  the  Chapters  universally  ready  to  co-operate 
in  holding  exemplifications. 

As  conducted  to-day,  however,  trying  to  work,  with  comment, 
all  four  degrees  at  one  sitting  seems  to  me  to  involve  too  much 
strain  upon  Chapters,  audience  and  Grand  Lecturers. 

I  have  authorized  the  Grand  Lecturers,  at  their  discretion,  to 
change  the  order  of  procedure  at  any  time,  and  work  the  Royal 
Arch  Degree  first,  to  avoid  that  indifference  and  neglect  that  come 
with  weariness,  for  it  is  too  important  to  be  always  placed   last. 

But  I  would  go  further,  and,  upon  occasion,  hold  an  exemplifi- 
cation each  year,  and  work  only  two  degrees  in  the  evening.  In 
addition  to  this,  I  would  reduce  the  size  of  the  districts,  making  it 
easier  to  reach  a  central  point,  giving  each  Chapter  the  opportu- 
nity to  work  a  larger  portion,  and  every  Companion  a  far  better 
chance  to  attend,  at  less  expense. 

REDISTRICTING 

Therefore  I  recommend  to  my  successor  to  divide  the  State 
into  fifteen  districts,  instead  of  twelve,  as  at  present. 

27 


The  proposed  districts  are  made  up  as  follows :  — 

PROPOSED   REORGANIZATION   OF   CAPITULAR   DISTRICTS 

Capitular  Districts 

1911 

District  No.  1 

St.  Andrew's     Boston  Mt.  Vernon        Roxbury 

St.  Paul's  Boston  Dorchester         Dorchester 

St.  Matthew's     South  Boston 


Washington 
Sutton 
Wm.  Fersou 


Salem 
Lynn 
Gloucester 


District  No.  2 

Holten 
Amity 
Ipswich 


Dan  vers 
Beverly 
Ipswich 


Adoniram 
Fall  River 


District  No.  3 


New  Bedford 
Fall  River 
Wareham 


St.  Mark's 
Kinu  Hiram 
Wareham 


Taunton 
Attleborough 


District  No.  4 

Worcester         Worcester  Eureka  Worcester 

K'g  Solomon's  Warren  St.  Elmo  Whitinsville 

Doric  Southbridge  Tyrian  Millbury 

District  No.  5 

Morning  Star   Springfield  Evening  Star     Westfield 

Hampden  Palmer  Unity  Chicopee  Falh 

Mt.  Holyoke     Holyoke 

District  No.  6 

Franklin  Greenfield  Union  Athol 

Northampton    Northampton         Crescent  Orange 


Pilgrim  Abington 

St.  Stephen's    Quincy 
Samoset  Plymouth 


District  No.  7 

Satucket 

Pentalpha 

Harmony 


Brockton 

Weymouth 

Bridgewater 


28 


Waverly 

Mystic 

Menotomy 


Kiug  Cyrus 
Mt.  Horeb 


Berkshire 
Corinthian 


Thomas 

Clinton 


District  No.  8 

Melrose  Woburn 

Medford  Reading 

Arlington  Tabernacle 


Newburyport 
Lowell 

Trinity 


District  No.  9 

Pentucket 
Mt.  Sinai 
Amesbury 


Pittsfield 
Adams 


District  No.  10 

Composite 
Monument 


District  No.  U 

Fitchburg  North  Star 

Clinton  Bancroft 

Gardner  Gardner 


Woburn 
Reading 
Maiden 


Haverhill 
Lawrence 


North  Adams 
Great  Harrington 


Winchendon 
Ayer 


District  No.  12 

Orient  Hyannis  Jos.  Warren  Provincetown 

Isle  of  the  Sea  Nantucket  S.  Baxter  West  Harwich 

District  No.  13 

Concord  So.  Franiingham  Parker  Natick 

Waltham  Waltham  Newton  Newtonville 

Houghton  Marlborough  Walden  Concord 


Mt.  Zion 
Mt.  Lebanon 
Keystone 


Stoughton 
Milford 


Fox  borough 


District  No.  14 

Norfolk 

Miller 

Hebron 


District  No.  15 

St.  John's  East  Boston  Chapter  of 

Chapter  of  the  the  Signet 

Shekinah  Chelsea  Somerville 

Cambridge         Cambridge  Winthrop 


Hyde  Park 

Franklin 

Norwood 


Charlestown 

Somerville 

Winthrop 


GRAND    REPRESENTATIVES 


In  accordance  with  custom  I  have  forwarded  to  the  Grand  High 
Priests  of  other  States  names  for  appointment  as  Grand  Repre- 
sentatives near  the  Grand  Chapter  of  Massachusetts.     Moist  of 


29 


these  were  reappoiDtments,  but  the  following  new  names  were  sug- 
gested and  duly  appointed  :  — 


Dist.  of  Columbia 

Florida 

Indiana 

Kentucky  . 

Mississippi 

Nevada 

New  Jersey 

Ohio      .     ' 

Quebec 


Frederick  T.  Comee 
Enoch  G.  Best  .  . 
Henry  H.  Litchfield 
Jesse  E.  Ames  .  . 
John  L.  Stone  .  . 
Eleazer  H.  Brazer  . 
Edward  E.  Jameson 
Leon  M.  Abbott 
Henry  S.  Bunton    . 


Woon  socket,  R.  I 

Greenfield 

Plymouth 

Boston 

Marlborough 

Chelsea 

Quincy 

Boston 

Hyde  Park 


In  accordance  with  the  vote  of  the  Grand  Chapter  at  the  June 
C'on vocation  establishing  interchange  of  Representatives  with  the 
Grand  Chapters  of  Washington,  Idaho,  and  Wyoming  the  follow- 
ing appointments  were  made,  by  these  States,  as  Representatives 
near  the  Grand  Chapter  of  Massachusetts  :  — 

Washington    .     .     ,     Augustus  P.  Calder     .     Hoxbury 

Idaho Robert  W.  Browning  .     Concord  Junction 

Wyoming  ....     Frederick  E.  Pierce     .     Greenfield 

JURISDICTION 

During  the  past  year,  as  for  many  years  past,  the  matter  of 
jurisdiction  of  the  Chapters  has  caused  vexatious  questions  to  arise, 
which  have,  however,  been  settled  by  the  good  sense  and  fairness 
of  those  involved.  I  am  especially  grateful  to  E.-.  Arthur  H. 
Parker,  High  Priest,  of  Eureka  Royal  Arch  Chapter,  of  Worces- 
ter, and  to  E.-.  Wilfred  D.  Smith,  High  Priest,  of  Waltham  Royal 
Arch  Chapter,  of  Waltham,  for  their  tactful  consideration  of  such 
(juestions. 

The  present  law  reads  :  — 

Article  XIV.  A  candidate  for  the  degrees  shall  make  applica- 
tion to  the  Chapter  in  the  town  or  city  where  the  applicant  resides, 
if  there  be  a  Chapter  therein,  but  if  there  be  none,  he  shall  apply 
to  the  Chapter  holding  jurisdiction  nearest  his  residence. 

Although  this  law  was  clearly  and  succintly  stated,  with  its 
history,  by  my  lamented  and  beloved  predecessor,  M.*.  E.-.  Baalis 
Sanford.  it  is  not  understood  by  the  Chapters.  It  is  not  clear  to 
the  average  High  Priest ;  requires  the  services  of  a  surveyor,  in 
many  cases,  to  determine  its  application,  and  causes  injustice  to 


30 


many  candidates.  To  meet  this  question  fnirly  in  the  spirit  of 
Modern  Masonry,  remembering  that  the  Grand  Commandery  and 
Grand  Council  have  already  adopted  fixed  limits  of  jurisdiction 
for  their  subordinate  bodies,  1  unhesitatingly  recommend  to  this 
Grand  Chapter  to  adopt  such  limits  also. 

I  recommend  that  a  Committee  of  three  be  appointed  at  the 
March  Convocation  to  report  at  the  September  Convocation  to 
fix  the  limits  of  jurisdiction,  both  exclusive  and  concurrent,  for 
each  Chapter,  with  instructions  to  notify  each  Chapter  of  the 
jurisdiction  so  fixed  for  it,  and  to  give  ample  opportunity  for  such 
Chapter  to  be  heard,  if  it  so  desire. 

ATTENDANCE 

The  record  of  the  year  tells  of  increased  attendance  b}'  Chap- 
ters at  all  the  Convocations  of  this  Grand  Chapter,  for  which  I 
thank  you.  Seventy-two  Chapters  out  of  seventy-eight  were  rep- 
resented at  the  June  Convocation.  I  have  caused  notices  of 
Grand  Chapter  Convocations,  with  invitations  to  attend,  to  be  sent 
to  every  Past  High  Priest  in  the  Commonwealth  (965  in  number), 
for  I  am  confident  that  the  Grand  Chapter  ever  needs  their  pres- 
ence and  sympathy,  even  if  they  are  without  the  power  to  speak 
or  vote.  I  have  also  caused  the  burdensome  restrictions  and  de- 
lays of  registering,  on  entrance  to  Grand  Chapter  Convocations, 
to  be  removed,  by  adoption  of  a  card  system,  which  has  undoubt- 
edly increased  attendance. 

DEPUTIES    AND    THEIR    REPORTS 

When  in  1872  the  increasing  number  of  Chapters  first  compelled 
their  assignments  into  districts,  with  District  Deputy  Grand  High 
Priests  to  relieve  the  Grand  High  Priest,  the  plan  proved  a 
success,  and  to-day  these  Deputies  are  a  most  useful,  valuable  and 
important  section  of  the  (xrand  officers,  and  especially  of  service 
to  the  Grand  High  Priest.  They  have  all  been  most  faithful  dur- 
ing the  past  year,  and  I  thank  them  most  heartily  and  sincerely. 
They  have  done  much  to  increase  the  dignity  of  our  Rite,  have 
labored  early  and  late  for  the  best  interests  of  the  Chapters,  and 
deserve  your  continued  support  in  their  good  and  effective  work. 
They  generally  report  their  Chapters  in  good  condition,  following 
their  By-laws  and  the  Constitution  and  Regulations  closely ;  the\ 
have  personally,  each  in  his  own  district,  visited   and  inspected 

31 


every  Chapter  in  the  State ;  they  report  that  the  majority  of  the 
Chapters  have  fireproof  safes  for  their  records ;  that  nearly  all 
display  the  national  flag  in  their  halls,  although  many  still  bor- 
row them  from  sister  bodies ;  that  many  Chapters  are  forming- 
permanent  funds ;  that  many  Chapters  have  not  duplicate  Char- 
ters, thus  exposing  their  most  precious  and  ancient  possession  to 
unnecessary  hazard :  they  have  been  accompanied  by  suites  of 
Past  High  Priests  wherever  possible,  and  have  most  earnestly 
impressed  upon  every  Chapter  the  absolute  necessity  of  eliminat- 
ing forever  all  undue  levity  and  participation  by  members  in  our 
solemn  services,  especially  in  the  Past  Master  and  Royal  Arch 
Degrees. 

CONCLUSION 

In  conclusion,  at  the  end  of  this  most  pleasant  and  inspiring 
year  of  service,  I  realize  better  than  ever  before  the  strength  and 
the  power  of  this  Grand  Chapter,  the  unlimited  opportunities  for 
good  work  that  lie  before  it,  and  the  fulness  of  accomplishment 
it  has  already  attained. 

With  your  co-operation,  not  only  will  the  gardens  of  the  Temple 
of  Masonry  bloom  in  a  greater  richness  of  color,  luxuriance  of 
flower  and  wealth  of  perfume,  but  the  Temple  itself  will  acquire 
new  and  resplendent  glories,  as  the  Sun  of  Promise  gilds  its  spires 
and  minarets  with  its  brilliant  radiance,  in  the  dawn  of  a  new  day. 

Let  the  gentle  and  benign  influence  of  the  Grand  Chapter  bring 
every  Chapter  to  the  full  realization  of  the  inherent  dignity  of  our 
degrees,  to  the  appreciation  of  the  importance  of  their  lessons  as 
the  truths  of  God,  to  the  wisdom  of  insistence  that  our  cere- 
monies be  conducted  as  solemnly  as  if  we  were  in  church,  and  by 
the  officers  only ;  then,  indeed,  shall  the  Chapter  take  its  true 
place  before  men  as  the  summit  and  crown  of  Ancient  Craft 
Masonry,  no  longer  to  be  used  as  a  stepping-stone,  but  prized  for 
its  own  sake,  loved  and  treasured  for  its  own  unclouded  and 
exquisite  charm,  for  its  own  beautiful  simplicity  of  teaching  and 
irapressiveness  of  ceremony ;  then  shall  the  Chapter  send  forth 
its  faithful  and  devoted  members  into  the  world  with  hearts  puri- 
fied and  softened,  true  ministers  of  peace  and  good  will,  of  that 
charity  and  fraternity  engraved  in  letters  of  fire  upon  our  Royal 
Arch,  in  the  shadow  of  the  Scarlet  Banner  of  our  faith. 

32 


Address  Before  Mt.  Lebanon  Royal  Arch  Qiapter, 
Mflford,  Feb.  24,  19 10 

Most  Excelle7it  High  Priest  Lilley  and  Companions :  — 

I  am  confident  that  you  hardly  need  the  assurance  of  my  pleas- 
ure to  meet  again  you  of  Mt.  Lebanon  under  your  own  roof  tree. 
The  years  in  swift  passing  have  brought  many  changes :  there  are 
vacant  chairs  in  your  hall,  and  many  of  those  you  loved  have 
passed  beyond.  But  our  Ancient  Order  continues  its  quiet  prog- 
ress, the  mellowness  of  age  enhancing  its  beauties  as  the  cen- 
turies recede,  the  storms  of  change  and  revolution  unheeded  and 
unheard  in  its  cloistered  silences,  above  its  hallowed  walls  ever 
flying  in  the  free  air  of  heaven  its  beautiful  banners  of  Blue,  of 
Scarlet,  of  Purple  and  of  the  Holy  Cross  of  Christ.  When  in  the 
high  promise  of  religious  devotion  the  first  stone  of  Cologne 
Cathedral  was  laid  in  the  fourteenth  century  Masonry  was  al- 
ready seeing  the  mosses  of  age  clinging  higher  and  higher  on  the 
Temple  walls ;  already  the  long  line  of  Masters  of  the  Craft  was 
lengthening  into  the  shadows ;  already  the  lives  of  men  were 
being  made  better  and  nobler  by  the  profound  influence  of  her 
teachings.  The  generations  of  men  have  come  and  gone,  but  her 
principles  are  unchanged  and  everlasting,  for  they  are  the  prom- 
ises of  God  himself,  the  divine  thought  expressed  in  living  words, 
the  immortal  essence  of  divinity  in  man,  written  in  ineffable  glory 
across  the  Royal  Arch,  as  Charity  to  the  widow  and  orphan.  Fra- 
ternity to  his  brother  in  daily  life,  Reverence  for  the  Great  and 
Holy  Name  of  the  Great  Architect  of  the  Universe,  and  Obedience 
to  His  laws. 

"  What  an  immortal  palace  shall  I  build 
When  from  the  exhaustless  quarries  of  the  mind 
I've  hewn  its  priceless  marbles  —  when  I  find 
My  spirit's  utmost  prophecy  fulfilled  !  " 

Charles  L.  Stone. 

If  we  of  the  Chapter  wear  the  Scarlet  button,  but  let  no  reflec- 
tion of  its  flaming  fire  warm  our  hearts  to  be  tender  and  kind  ;  if 
we  flaunt  the  keystone  before  the  eyes  of  men,  but  forget  the  ex- 
quisite beauty  of  its  symbolism,  if  we  do  not  diligently  labor  in 

33 


the  quarries  of  life,  first  to  shape  aud  then  to  polish  with  the  deli- 
cate engraver's  chisel  the  ashlar  of  our  own  nature,  can  we  ever 
hope  to  witness  the  glory  of  the  Royal  Arch  of  Immortality,  when 
we  pass  the  veils  of  Death  ? 

"New    occasions    teach    new  duties  ;    Time  makes  ancient  good 

Gncouth, 
They  must  upward  still  and  onward  who  would  keep  abreast  of 

Truth  ; 
Lo,  before  us  gleam  her  camp-fires ! 
We  ourselves  must  pilgrims  be, 
Launch  our  Mayflower  and  steer  boldly  through  the  desperate 

winter  sea, 
Nor   attempt    the  Future's  portal   with  the  past's   blood-rusted 

key." 

James  Russell  Lowell. 

As  we  hurry  over  the  bridge  of  life  across  the  black  river  of 
Time,  we  see  the  twilight  fade  aud  darken  before  us  even  as  the 
lights  of  heaven  gleam  in  the  distance.  As  we  stumble  along 
over  "  the  rough  and  rugged  road  "  do  we  not  rejoice  to  feel  the 
assuring  help  of  a  brother  Mason  at  our  elbow,  the  grateful  sym- 
pathy of  his  voice  sounding  in  responsive  echo  on  our  heart- 
strings, as  the  tears  of  relief,  of  returning  and  sustaining  courage 
fall  silently  in  tribute  ? 

The  countless  unknown,  unheard  of  secret  deeds  of  kindness,  of 
infinite  and  generous  charity  to  brother,  and  widow  and  orphan, 
that  daily  send  rays  of  brightness  across  the  murky  sordidness  of 
existence  that  so  oppresses  the  weak  and  distressed  are  but  our 
tributes  to  the  enduring  worth,  the  mystic  appealing  power  of  the 
Masonic  character,  tested  in  the  crucible  of  temptation  and  tried 
by  the  fires  of  oppression,  wrong  and  human  suffering,  and  the 
ultimate  fulfilment  of  our  vows  of  knightly  service,  under  the 
sacred  and  protecting  shadow  of  the  Chapter's  scarlet  symbols. 

"  Lives  without  purpose  are  like  slender  reeds 

That  sway  and  drift  upon  the  river's  tide. 

Though  life  be  short,  it  may  be  full  of  deeds 

Of  loving  kindness.     Then  in  truth  abide. 

"  Wouldst  thou  have  kindness,  then  be  kind. 
Wouldst  thou  have  goodness,  then  be  good. 
A  simple  way  that  every  one  may  find 

To  reach  the  heaven  of  true  Brotherhood." 
From  the  ^'Two  Eternities^   hy  Swami  YogandUi. 

34 


On  Invitation  of  M/.  £♦*.  President  Warren  B.  Ellis,  Before 

Massachusetts  Convention  of  High  Priests,  Masonic 

Temple,  Boston,  March  8,  1910 

^Masonic  Memories'' 

Most  Excellent  President  and  Companions  of  the  Order  of  High 

Priesthood:  — 

We  shall  meet  in  an  hour  in  the  Grand  Chapter  in  solemn 
''  Service  of  Sorrow,"  to  testify  by  our  presence,  and  with  tribute 
of  slow  and  stately  music,  to  the  worth  of  our  Companions  who 
have  journeyed  to  the  Land  of  Silence,  to  the  hills  and  mountains 
of  Eternal  Light. 

'*  Weep  not  that  their  toils  are  over ;  weep  not  that  their  race  is  run  ; 
Go  grant  we  may  rest  as  calmly  when  our  work,  like  theirs,  is 

done  ; 
Till  then  we  would  yield  with  gladness  our  treasure  to  Him  to 


And  rejoice  in  the  sweet  assurance  — '  He  giveth  His  loved  ones 
sleep.' " 

With  reluctant  feet,  but  with  high  courage  of  soul,  they  have 
obeyed  the  insistent  summons  of  the  Angel  of  the  Shadow,  and  as 
the  veil  of  mystery  opened  wide  for  them  we  saw,  for  a  moment, 
the  brightness  of  Eternity"  touch  their  shadowy  presences,  and 
illumine  their  pathway  to  immortality. 

"  There  is  no  death ;  the  stars  go  down 
To  rise  upon  some  other  shore 
And  bright  in  heaven's  jewelled  crown 
They  shine  forevermore." 

To  each  of  us,  journeying  wearily,  under  heavy  burdens,  up  the 
Mountains  of  Hope,  over  the  "  rough  and  rugged  roads  "  of  life, 
there  comes  the  supreme  moment  at  the  end,  when  we  see  the  in- 
eflPable  glory  of  the  "  name  that  no  man  knoweth  "  stand  forth  in 
letters  of  fire  on  the  shining  white  keystone  of  Truth,  its  radiance 
lighting  the  sombre  darkness  of  Azrael's  cloud,  which  obscures,  as 
with  a  veil,  our  view  of  the  Country  of  Rest,  where  the  Temple 
of  Eternal  Peace  rises  resplendent  in  the  gardens  of  Immortality. 

35 


''  Like  the  bubble  in  the  brook 
Or  in  a  glass  much  like  a  look, 
Or  like  the  shuttle  in  the  weaver's  hand, 
Or  like  the  writing  in  the  sand, 
Or  like  a  thought,  or  like  a  dream, 
Or  like  the  gliding  of  the  stream, 
Even  such  is  man,  who  lives  by  breath 
Is  here,  now  there,  in  life  and  death, 
The  bubble  's  out,  the  look  forgot, 
The  shuttle  's  flung,  the  writing  's  blot, 
The  thought  is  past,  the  dream  is  gone. 
The  waters  glide,  man's  life  is  done." 

One  by  one  our  comrades  have  left  us,  fading  into  the  countless 
throng,  the  never-ceasing  line  of  shadows  of  the  brave,  the  learned 
and  the  devout  Masters  of  Masonry,  who,  for  an  infinitesimal  frac- 
tion of  hurrying  time,  have  each  taught  from  the  Orient  the 
sublime  and  immortal  truths  of  our  ancient  Institution ;  one  in  his 
youth,  as  with  eager  face  he  sought  the  treasures  of  the  Craft ; 
another,  in  ripe  old  age,  after  a  lifetime  spent  in  humble  exempli- 
fication of  the  great  principles  we  hold  in  trust  from  God,  of 
Charity,  Fraternity,  Obedience  to  His  laws,  and  reverence  for  His 
Great  and  Holy  Name. 

"  They  are  poor 
That  have  lost  nothing ;  they  are  poorer  far 
Who,  losing,  have  forgotten ;  they  most  poor 
Of  all  who  lose  and  wish  they  might  forget, 
For  life  is  one,  and  in  its  w^rp  and  woof 
There  runs  a  thread  of  gold  that  glitters  fair 
And  sometimes  in  the  patteru  shows  most  sweet 
Where  there  are  sombre  colors.     It  is  true 
That  we  have  wept.     But,  O  this  thread  of  gold  I 
We  would  not  have  it  tarnish ;  let  us  turn 
Oft  and  look  back  upon  this  wondrous  web, 
And  when  it  shineth  sometimes,  we  shall  know 
That  memory  is  possession." 

Jean  Ingelow 

With  heads  bowed  down  in  sorrow,  with  hearts  chastened  by 
our  loss  of  those  Companions  we  so  loved  and  honored,  a  long  ami 
most  highly  honorable  roll  of  devoted  exponents  of  our  Capitular 
Rite,  we  lay  a  branch  of  acacia  upon  the  altar,  in  promise  that,  in 
so  far  as  in  us  lies,  we  will  keep  their  memories  green,  the  record 
of  their  service  as  bright  and  untarnished  as  the  scintillating 
radiance  of  their  lives. 

36 


May  we  in  turn  so  live  that  when 

''  The  Angel  of  the  t)arker  Drink 
At  last  shall  find  us  by  the  river  brink, 
And  offering  his  Cup,  invite  our  souls 
Forth  to  our  Lips  to  quaff  we  shall  not  shrink !  " 

(  Omar  Khayyam^  Edward  Fitzgerald's  4th  ed.) 

As  we  labor  in  the  quarries  to  form  and  polish  the  ashlars  of 
our  characters  to  fit  them  for  the  Temple  walls,  we  rejoice  in  our 
hearts  as  we  see  the  magnificence  of  the  edifice  unfold,  and  realize 
anew  the  world-embracing  attractiveness,  the  soul-compelling 
power  of  our  ancient  Order  through  so  many  centuries.  We  dimly 
see  the  "  increasing  purpose  of  the  ages,"  and  that 

"  God's  plans,  like  lilies,  pure  and  white,  unfold ; 
We  must  not  tear  the  close-shut  leaves  apart ; 
Time  will  reveal  the  calyxes  of  gold." 

When  our  fathers,  trusting  to  God  alone, 

"  Our  Father's  God,  from  out  whose  hand 
The  centuries  fall  like  grains  of  sand," 

when  they  followed  through  wild  storm  and  dreadful  darkness  the 
dim  star  of  freedom  across  the  unknown  seas  to  a  new  land,  it 
was  to  light  on  their  altars  the  fires  of  Ancient  Masonry.  May 
we  preserve  unsullied  and  transmit  unimpaired  the  sacred , heritage 
of  this  trust,  that  has  descended  in  its  original  integrity  to  us 
through  the  centuries,  and  keep  the  faith  of  our  fathers  even  as 
our  Companions  so  kept  and  cherished  it  to  the  end  I 

"  But  still  His  work  goes  on  ;  with  blinded  eyes. 
And  blundering  fingers  catching  in  the  thread, 
We  taka  the  web  the  deft,  dead  fingers  wove  — 
And  only  He  knows  how  the  broken  ends  are  wed. 
Or  how,  at  last,  we  no  more  idly  grieve. 
But  from  our  very  loneliness  begin  to  weave." 

Geo.  Wbrster 

We  of  to-day  have  no  crowns  of  martyrdom  to  lay  on  silent 
forms,  no  wreaths  of  victory  with  which  to  bedeck  those  who  con- 
quer their  unseen  foes ;  the  Scarlet  Banner  of  the  Chapter  is  never 
seen  in  the  magnificence  of  procession  or  leading  the  glories  of  a 
triumph,  but  we  may  each  of  us  gain  inspiration,  courage  and 
high  resolve  from  the  stories  of  the  devotion  of  those  we  mourn, 

37 


to  meet  the  wearing  trials  and  temptations  of  our  daily  lives,  to 
carve  as  with  the  engraver's  chisel  rare  flowers  of  self-sacrifice, 
self-forgetfulness  and  self-effacement  in  detail  of  exquisite  beauty 
on  the  hard  surface  of  doubt  and  disbelief. 

Thus  invoking  the  gentle  and  benign  spirit  of  true  Masonry, 
may  we  not  hope 

"  That  when  the  daylight  trembles  into  shade 
And  falls  the  silence  of  mortality, 
And  all  is  done,  we  shall  not  be  afraid, 
But  pass  from  light  to  light,  from  earth's  dull  gleam 
Into  the  very  heart  and  heaven  of  our  dream." 


Reply  to  the  Toast  **  Toleration ''  at  the 

Feast  of  the  Paschal   Lamb,  Maundy  Thursday, 
March  24,  I9I0 

In  Aurora  Grata  Cathedral,  Brooklyn,  N.  Y.    Before  Aurora  Grata 
Chapter  of  Rose  Croix  Ancient  and  Accepted  Scottish  Rite 

Most  Wise  Master,  Illustrious  Princes  and  Brethren  :  — 

"  Into  my  Father's  room,  and  through  the  courts 
Below,  forever  seeking,  I  will  pass. 
To  brush  the  skirts  of  Inspiration 
And  touch  the  sleeves  of  Memory. 
O  great  and  gracious  Father,  hear  and  condescend 
To  guard,  to  cherish,  to  enlighten  me ! 

Confucius  {The  Prayer  of  the  Emperor  Ching.) 


This  is  not,  as  might  be  supposed,  a  prayer  of  this  twentieth 
century,  but  from  the  ancient  writings  of  Confucius,  of  China,  who 
died  470  years  before  Christ.  It  thus  brings  vividly  before  us  the 
universal  kinship  of  the  gentle,  the  devout  and  the  God-fearing, 
in  all  ages  and  lands.  How  much  more  then  shall  we,  who  arc 
bound  by  all  the  vows  of  our  great  Order  to  the  exercise  of  Char- 
ity and  Fraternity,  practise  the  virtue  of  toleration,  which  means, 
in  its  derivation  from  the  Latin,  "  to  bear  with,"  and  is  the  hand- 
maid of  Love  and  the  sister  of  Charity.  One  of  the  glories 
radiating  brightness  through  alj  the  courts  and  cloisters  of  the 
Great  Temple  of  our  faith  is,  that  they  who  pass  acceptably  the 

38 


jiuarded  outer  gates  leave  intolerance  forever  behind  them.  In 
the  gardens  of  Masonry,  where  the  flowers  of  self-sacrifice,  of  love 
for  one's  brothers,  and  of  infinite  charity  and  forbearance  bloom 
in  such  rare  perfection,  watered  by  the  grateful  tears  of  the  widow 
and  orphan,  there  is  no  place  for  such  noxious  weeds. 

"  Nevermore,  who  have  seen  summits,  will  I  grovel  on  the  plain, 
For,  in  sublimated  moments,  by  th'  Eternal  swept  along, 
I  have  heard  the  heart  of  silence  beating  suffocate  with  song," 

C.  E.  W.  S. 

Under  the  inspiration  of  the  immortal  truths  of  God  represented 
by  the  wonderful,  most  beautiful  and  thousand-year-old  symbolism 
of  our  Order  may  we  not  say : 

''  May  every  soul  that  touches  mine  — 
Be  it  the  slightest  contact  —  get  therefrom  some  good, 
Some  little  grace,  one  kindly  thought, 
One  inspiration  yet  unfelt,  one  bit  of  courage 
For  the  darkening  sky,  one  gleam  of  faith 
To  brave  the  thickening  ills  of  life. 

One  glimpse  of  brighter  skies  beyond  the  gathering  mists. 
To  make  this  life  worth  while, 
And  heaven  a  surer  heritage." 

Selected. 

The  story  of  the  Crusades  abounds  in  illustrations  of  knightly 
deeds  of  heroism  and  self-sacrifice,  of  courtesy  and  forbearance  to 
a  fallen  foe,  of  lofty  toleration  for  other  creeds  and  faiths,  that  il- 
lumine as  with  jewels  of  surpassing  brightness  the  dark  pages  of 
their  history. 

The  Knights  of  the  Hospital  of  St.  John,  who  fought  at  Galilee 
against  overwhelming  force  until  three  only  out  of  five  hundred 
lemained,  they  who  defended  Ptolemais  until  not  a  single  knight 
cither  of  St.  John  or  of  the  Temple  survived  the  sack  of  the  city, 
rising  in  splendid  despairing  revolt  after  surrender  and  taking  a 
fearful  vengeance  as  they  died  for  unforgivable  insult,  they  were 
men,  who  sang  from  their  hearts  the  ancient  Latin  hymn,  the 
Song  of  Peace  in  Victory : 

'*  Forward  the  royal  banners  fly. 
The  sacred  cross  shines  out  on  high, 
Where  man's  Creator  stooped  to  die 
In  human  flesh,  to  draw  man  nigh." 

3d 


And  to  go  back  to  the  dim  beginnings  of  recorded  history,  while 
the  Temple  of  Solomon  was  still  an  unsubstantial  dream  in  the 
minds  of  men,  we  find  Homer  saying :  — 

"  By  mutual  confidence  and  mutual  aid 
Great  deeds  are  done  and  great  discoveries  made ; 
The  wise  new  prudence  from  the  wise  acquire, 
And  one  brave  hero  fans  another's  fire." 

Homer  (from  "Iliad.") 

It  is  not  a  far  cry  from  this  most  tolerant  expression  to  the 
tender  and  divine  words  of  Jesus,  the  Crucified  One,  who  saith  :  — 

"A  new  commandment  I  give  unto  you,  that  ye  love  one 
another ;  even  as  I  have  loved  you,  that  ye  also  love  one  another." 

St.  John,  xiii.  34. 

As  the  trembling  neophyte  advances  from  altar  to  altar,  slowly 
acquiring  knowledge  with  humbleness  and  contriteness  of  heart ; 
as  he  laboriously  works  in  the  quarries  and  shapes  and  polishes 
the  ashlar  of  his  character  to  fit  it  for  the  Temple  wall,  as  under 
the  Royal  Arch  of  Truth  he  finds  the  peace  that  passeth  under- 
standing, and  in  the  ranks  of  perfect  knighthood  vows  himself  to 
the  service  of  humanity,  is  he  not  at  every  step  enjoined  to  exem- 
plify in  his  daily  home  and  business  life  the  eternal  principles  of 
God,  of  Charity,  Fraternity,  Obedience  to  His  laws  and  reverence 
for  His  G^reat  and  Holy  Name  ?  Herein  Masonry  makes  practical 
the  teachings  of  God,  and  makes  them  flower  in  the  souls  of  men 
in  deeds  of  kindness  and  pure  beneficence. 

As  a  modern  poet,  Maeterlinck,  has  said :  — 

"  Let  us  continue,  in  spite  of  all,  to  act,  to  love  and  to  hope  as 
though  we  had  to  do  with  an  ideal  humanity. 
This  ideal  is  only  a  vaster  reality  than  that  which  we  behold." 

Mceterlinck  ("  Life  and  Flowers.") 

As  we  approach  the  sunset  of  life  we  see  the  glories  of  eternity 
illumine  the  sombre  darkness  of  the  cloud  that  ever  obscures  our 
view  of  the  Country  of  Rest,  where  the  Temple  of  Eternal  Peace 
rises  resplendent  in  the  gardens  of  Immortality,  where  there  are 
no  divisions  of  age  or  sex,  or  race  or  color ;  only  a  whiteness  of 
soul  rivalling  the  virgin  purity  of  the  mystic  keystone.  Let  us 
always  remember  that 

40 


"  The  limit  of  life  is  brief  ; 
'Tis  the  red  in  the  red-rose  leaf ; 
'Tis  the  gold  in  the  sunset  sky  ; 
'Tis  the  flight  of  a  bird  on  high. 
Yet  we  may  fill  the  space 
With  such  an  infinite  grace 
That  the  red  will  vein  all  time, 
The  gold  through  the  ages  shine, 
And  the  bird  fly  swift  and  straight 
To  the  lilies  of  God's  own  gate." 

Marie  B.   Williams, 

As  Masonry  ever  uplifts  and  encourages  the  soul  of  man,  and  a 
Brother  Knight  is  ever  at  one's  elbow  to  admonish,  support  and 
restrain,  we  who  love  our  Ancient  Order  may  well  believe  that 
the  world  is  better  for  its  existence  and  is  brought  by  it  nearer 
the  realization  of  the  dream, 

"  If  all  that  hate  would  love  us,  and  all  our  loves  were  true, 
The  stars  that  swing  above  us  would  brighten  in  the  blue ; 
If  cruel  words  were  kisses,  and  every  scowl  a  smile, 
A  better  world  than  this  is  would  hardly  be  worth  while." 

To  you,  brothers  of  my  soul,  the  followers  of  the  Cross  of 
Peace,  ever  fighting  in  the  marts  of  trade  the  battles  of  life,  with 
hearts  full  of  love  for  home  and  country,  may  we  say,  in  the  name 
of  our  sublime  and  ancient  Craft :  — 

"  Within  your  deep  and  steady  eyes  I  see 
The  mighty  meanings  of  the  ages  gone, 
The  glory  of  the  faith  that  is  to  be ; 

And  far  along  the  avenues  of  dawn 
Your  works  shall  rear  their  lofty  Trinity 

Till  from  the  final  Truth  the  veil  is  drawn !  " 

Richard  Lew  Dawson. 


Address   Before   St»  PauFs   Royal  Arch   Chapter, 

Masonic  Temple,  Boston,  Patriot^s  Day, 

April  19,  \9\0 

Most  Excellent  High  Priest  Farrington  and  Companions  of  St. 


Paul 


1  bring  you  the  greetings  of  the  Grand  Royal  Arch  Chapter  of 
Massachusetts,  that  most  ancient,  honorable  and  conservative  body 


41 


in  Masonry  that  first  gave  you  life  and  started  you.  on  your  pros- 
perous and  promising  career  nearly  a  century  ago. 

Thanks  to  the  unselfish  and  self-sacrificing  efforts  of  such  Grand 
High  Priests  as  Ellis,  Hubbard,  Blake  and  Harry  Hunt,  in  these 
recent  years,  the  Grand  Royal  Arch  Chapter  of  Massachusetts 
now  occupies  its  proper  place  in  the  great  Temple  of  Masonry. 
The  somewhat  heterogeneous  mass  of  individual  Chapters  in  our 
grand  old  Commonwealth  has  been  welded  into  a  united  and  com- 
posite whole,  animated  by  one  common  and  increasing  love  for  the 
Capitular  Rite,  for  its  beautiful  ceremonies  and  impressive  teach- 
ings, and  by  that  strong  bond  of  unity  in  love  of  home,  love  of 
country  and  love  of  God  that  has  ever  so  strongly  characterized 
our,  ancient  Craft. 

As  I  travel  over  the  State  and  visit  all  kinds  of  Chapters  1  con- 
fess I  am  agreeably  surprised  and  impressed  by  their  enthusiasm 
and  genuine  love  for  the  Chapter,  —  not  mere  lip  loyalty,  but 
coming  from  their  very  hearts. 

Companions,  we  love  the  Chapter,  we  love  the  traditions  and 
ancient  landmarks  our  fathers  knew  and  loved,  and  we  realize 
that  the  beautiful  simplicity  and  impressive  lessons  of  the  Mark 
Degrees,  the  magnificent  ceremonies  of  the  Most  Excellent,  and 
tlie  sublime  mysteries  and  teachings  of  the  Royal  Arch  place  the 
Chapter  upon  the  immortal  heights  of  dignity  and  beauty.  We 
learn  in  the  Chapter  to  approach  near  to  the  throne  of  God,  to 
l)end  low  the  neck  of  pride  in  liumility,  to  make  the  rough  and 
rugged  road  smooth  before  the  weary  Brother's  stumbling  feeti 
not  to  place  obstacles  before  him ;  to  administer  relief  to  his  dis" 
tresses  and  comfort  his  affliction,  not  to  laugh  at  and  humiliate 
him;  to  cover  his  faults  and  follies  with  the  broad  mantle  of 
brotherly  love  and  charity  ;  not  to  introduce  politics  into  Masonic 
elections  nor  to  talk  slander  and  gossip ;  and,  above  all,  to  exem- 
plify in  our  lives  the  great  foundation  principles  of  charity  and 
fraternity  by  carrying  in  silence  and  secrecy,  seen  only  by  the 
thousand  eyes  of  night,  the  joy  of  assistance  to  the  helpless  and 
desolate  widow  and  orphans,  whose  grateful  tears  sliall  water  the 
tlowers  of  self-sacrifice  and  self-denial,  to  bloom  in  an  eternity  of 
beauty  in  the  gardens  of  the  Temple  of  Masonry. 


42 


"  I  hold  that  Christian  grace  abounds 
Where  Charity  is  seen  ;  that  when 
We  climb  to  heaven  'tis  on  the  rounds 
Of  love  to  men." 

Therefore  there  is  no  place  in  the  Chapter  work  for  levity, 
roughness,  coarseness  or  humiliation  of  any  kind,  and,  besides, 
they  are  absolutely  forbidden  by  the  Grand  Chapter. 

As  the  passing  years  bring  us  nearer  to  the  last  veil  of  the 
Sanctuary  of  Eternity  do  we  not  in  our  souls  dread  to  present  our 
life  work  to  the  Great  Overseer  for  inspection,  not  knowing  that 
the  little  forgotten  deeds  of  kindness,  of  daily  charity  and  forbear- 
ance may  make  the  stone  which  the  builders  rejected  the  chief 
stone  of  the  corner? 

May  I  add,  as  President  of  the  Massachusetts  Society  of  the 
Sous  of  the  Revolution  :  — 

Here  in  this  Temple  are  sacred  relics  of  the  Revolution^  and 
upon  your  walls  are  the  pictured  faces  of  patriots  who  gave  their 
lives  that  freedom  might  abide  forever  under  the  starry  emblem 
of  our  beloved  country.  The  insurgent  spirit  of  Liberty  animated 
the  whole  of  the  Colonies,  and  the  blood  of  heroes  flowed  as  freely 
at  King's  Mountain,  at  Stony  Point,  at  Yorktown,  and  at  Sara- 
toga, as  at  Bunker  Hill  or  Lexington.  Nor  amid  all  the  dread- 
ful horrors  of  the  Jersey  prison  ships,  did  any  one  of  the  thousands 
slowly  dying  there  forget  his  oath  to  his  country  that  he  might 
live  —  whether  he  came  from  the  canebrakes  of  Georgia,  the 
golden  pines  of  North  Carolina,  the  marsh  lands  of  the  Jersey 
coast,  or  the  rocky  hillsides  of  green  Vermont. 

Through  all  the  years  before  the  storm  of  revolt  burst  upon  the 
long  suffering  Colonies  Boston  was  the  centre  of  unrest,  her 
Masonic  lodges  veritable  hotbeds  of  discontent  and  increasing  de- 
sire for  revolution,  and,  therefore,  here  to-day  are  more  shrines  of 
patriotism  still  existing  than  in  any  other  city  in  America. 

Well  may  we  love  Boston  and  in  prophetic  fancy  see  our 
nation's  flag  floating  above  the  Old  State  House  for  all  the  cen- 
turies to  come,  the  proud  and  glorious  symbol  of  a  free  and  pros- 
perous people  ever  seeking  liberty  under  law.  For  the  Boston  of 
to  day,  the  city  we  treasure  so  tenderly  and  sacredly,  this  quaint 
old  city,  so  exceedingly  rich  in  her  records  and  memories  of  the 
Colonial,  Provincial   and   Revolutionary  periods,  this   proud  old 

43 


city,  so  justly  proud  of  her  classic  literary  associations,  this  ancient 
town,  which  Franklin,  Revere,  Warren,  Knox,  Hancock,  Thomas, 
Otis,  and  Adams  so  loved  and  honored,  was  once  scattered  over 
seven  hundred  acres,  now  is  crowded  in  more  than  twenty  thou- 
sand. She  has  grown  from  a  feeble  settlement  to  a  mighty  city  ; 
she  has  through  the  centuries  kept  the  .faith,  and  in  her  sturdy 
self-reliance  been  an  inspiration  to  the  whole  country  ;  her  sous 
and  daughters  have  helped  build  and  preserve  the  nation  ;  she  has 
an  enviable  record  for  research  and  enterprise,  for  her  gracious 
eyes  have  seen  the  first  church,  first  free  school,  first  hotel,  first 
newspaper,  first  railroad,  all  take  form  and  beginning  within  her 
borders;  her  Common  was  the  first  public  park,  here  were  built 
the  first  vessel  and  the  first  printing-press,  and  here  uprose  to 
high  heaven  the  devout  and  sincere  gratitude  of  one  of  the  first 
Thanksgivings,  When  the  veil  of  the  last  great  mystery  is  torn 
aside  for  us  by  the  hands  of  the  Angel  of  the  Shadow,  may  it 
please  God  that  we  may  lie  at  rest  through  the  ages  here  in  the 
city  of  our  dream,  at  the  feet  of  this,  our  radiant  Queen  of  the 
Atlantic  shore,  whose  golden  throne,  high  on  the  crowded  hill, 
faces  seaward  to  reflect  the  first  faint  flush  of  dawn  and  be  lighted 
by  the  sunset's  fiery  glow  !  As  at  twilight  we  stand  on  the  bank 
of  the  Charles  we  see  the  city  we  love  through  the  poet's  eyes: 

"  As  in  a  dream  the  shadowy  city  lies 
Wrapped  in  soft  silence ;  while,  like  jewels  fair 
Meshed  in  the  dusky  tresses  of  her  hair, 
A  thousand  lights  outflash  on  gazing  eyes 
That  note  her  loveliness.     The  brooding  skies 
Glow  yet  with  flush  of  sunset  fires  aflare 
On  distant  hilltops,  while  the  nearer  air 
Dark  on  the  darkling  waters  sinks  and  dies. 
Spent  for  a  time  the  tumult  and  the  fret ; 
The  sordid  aims  that  clamor  for  the  prize ; 
And  lo !  above  the  roof  of  darkness  set, 
Where  through  the  day  the  clouds  of  smoke  arise, 
Pillar  of  flame  she  shines  above  the  night !  " 

Mary  E.  Blake 


44 


Address  Before  Keystone  Royal  Arch  Chapter, 

Foxborough,  at  its  Fiftieth  Anniversary  and  Ladies' 

Night,  June  15,  1910 

Most  Excellent  High  Priest,  Ladies  and  Companions  :  — 

On  this  the  fiftieth  anniversary  of  your  Chapter  we  may  well 
pause  for  a  moment  to  consider  the  meaning  and  the  worth  of  our 
beloved  Institution  of  Ancient  Craft  Masonry,  of  which  the  Chap- 
ter is  the  summit  and  Crown. 

What  does  it  mean  to  be  a  Free  and  Accepted  Mason  ?  is  a 
(juestion  I  am  often  asked.  I  know  of  no  better  definition  than 
that  given  more  than  a  hundred  and  twenty  years  ago  before 
Gen.  George  "Washington  and  his  brilliant  staff  of  war-worn 
officers :  — 

"  As  to  you,  Brethren,  I  need  not  remind  you  that  if  none  be 
accepted  among  us  but  such  as  strive  daily,  thro'  the  Grace  of 
Heaven,  to  lay  aside  those  evil  passions,  condemned  by  the  Apostle, 
then  shall  the  Lodge  be  truly  dominated  a  '  Spiritual  House,'  hewn 
out  of  the  Rock  of  Ages,  and  adorned  with  Jewels  of  unspeakable 
Value.  Then  shall  they  be  free  indeed,  for  the  great  Spiritual 
Master  shall  have  set  them  free  from  the  Turbulence  of  Passion, 
the  Stings  of  Guilt,  and  the  Thr^dom  of  Slavery,  both  of  Body 
and  Mind." 

That  to-day  the  immortal  truths  of  God  as  interpreted  and 
taught  before  the  holy  altars  of  our  faith  are  listened  to  in  the 
same  loving,  appreciative  spirit  of  our  fathers  a  century  before 
is  because  we  have  preserved  the  ancient  landmarks  unaltered, 
unchanged  and  unimpaired ;  because  the  spirit  of  God  breathes 
through  our  works  and  in  our  lessons,  as  in  solemn  devotion  we 
expound  the  law,  that  Obedience  to  His  laws  and  reverence  for  His 
Great  and  Holy  Name  are  the  great  foundation  principles  of  our 
Capitular  Rite. 

"  I  hold  that  Christian  grace  abounds 
Where  Charity  is  seen  ;  that  when 

^  We  climb  to  heaven  'tis  on  the  rounds 
Of  love  to  men." 

Jean  Ingelow- 

What  does  the  Chapter  mean  to  us  ?  Is  it  not  true  that  the 
degrees  of  the  Chapter  are  among  the  most  effective,  in  Masonry 

45 


in  the  beauty-  of  their  work,  the  splendor  of  their  frames,  the  rich- 
ness of  thtir  synjbols  and  the  earnestness  of  their  lessons  ?  I 
believe  the  day  has  come  when  it  is  becoming  recognized  that  the 
beautiful  simplicity  and  impressive  lessons  of  the  Mark  Degree, 
the  magnificent  ceremonies  of  the  Most  Excellent,  and  the  sublime 
mysteries  and  teachings  of  the  Royal  Arch  all  combine  to  place 
the  Chapter  upon  immortal  heights  of  dignity,  beauty  and  heart 
appeal  that  are  almost  unequalled. 

Ancient  as  are  the  symbols  of  a  Royal  Arch  Mason,  the  circle, 
equilateral  triangle  and  triple  tau,  that  have  in  turn  represented 
the  divine  aspirations  of  different  nations  and  peoples,  and  have 
survived  the  wreck  of  empires  and  religions,  we  must  not  forget 
their  mystic  meaning  to  us.  It  is  not  enough  to  wear  the  white 
keystone,  that  beautiful  symbol  of  man's  character,  as  it  is  wrought 
by  patient  labor  with  mallet  and  chisel  into  resemblance  to  Divine 
Perfection ;  we  must  in  daily  life  endeavor  to  make  our  lives  as 
white  and  clean  as  its  virgin  purity. 

•'  The  years  of  man  are  the  looms  of  God 
Let  down  from  the  place  of  the  Sun, 

Wherein  we  are  weaving  ever,  till  the  mystic  web  is  done ; 
Weaving  blindly  but  weaving  surely,  each  for  himself  his  fate, 
We  may  not  see  how  the  right  side  looks,  we  can  only  weave 

and  wait. 
But,  looking  above  for  the  Pattern,  no  weaver  hath  need  to  fear. 
Only  let  him  look  straight  into  heaven  :  the  perfect  pattern  is 

there." 

Margaret  Lang. 

If  we  shall  ever  forget  that  Masonry  is  built  upon  God's  truths  ; 
if  we  shall  ever  cease  to  invoke  in  all  our  Masonic  meetings  the 
sacred  name  of  God  as  Father  Omniscient,  Omnipotent  and  Omni- 
present ;  if  we  shall  fail  to  exemplify  His  teachings  for  purity  in 
our  own  daily  lives ;  if  we  permit  undue  levity  and  fail  to  preserve 
the  impressiveness  of  the  lessons  taught  that  so  appeal  to  the  heart 
and  mind  of  the  neophyte  who  enters  our  portals;  if  we  shall  fail 
to  guard  well  the  outer  gates  of  the  Temple  of  Freemasonry  and 
shall  permit  the  man  of  evil  life  to  remain  scoffing  before  our 
altars,  then  shall  our  beautiful  Temple  become  ruined  and  for- 
saken, the  winds  of  desolation  sweeping  unrestrained  through  the 
great  nave  and  arches  of  its  deserted  halls,  its  broken  columns, 

46 


lying  prone,  half  buried  in  the  sands  of  oblivion,  alone  remaining 
to  attest  the  glories  of  its  former  magnificence. 

To-day  the  problems  that  confront  us  differ  in  many  ways  from 
those  our  fathers  faced,  but  with  high  courage  and  dauntless  spirit 
we  should  turn  toward  the  rising  sun  of  promise,  and  as  we  humble 
our  hearts  in  contriteness  before  our  altars  believe  that  Royal 
.Arch  Masons  through  centuries  to  come  will  maintain  secrecy, 
practise  charity,  and  guard  well  the  outer  gates. 

"  Say  not  the  struggle  naught  availeth, 
The  labor  and  the  wounds  are  vain, 
The  enemy  faints  not,  nor  faileth, 

And  as  things  have  been  they  remain. 

"  For  while  the  tired  waves,  vainly  breaking, 
Seem  here  no  painful  inch  to  gain, 
Far  back,  through  creeks  and  inlets  making, 
Comes  silent,  flooding  in,  the  main. 

"  And  not  through  Eastern  windows  only, 
When  daylight  comes,  comes  in  the  light. 
In  front  the  sun  climbs  slow  —  how  slowly  — 
But  westward,  look,  the  land  is  bright." 

Arthur  H.  Clough. 


When  at  last  we  pass  under  the  Royal  Arch  of  Truth  and  turn, 
for  a  last  look  on  earth,  to  the  Scarlet  Banner  of  Promise  floating 
so  proudly  in  the  free  air  of  heaven  above  the  glorious  Temple  of 
our  faith,  may  we  not  wish,  vainly  and  impotently,  that  we  had 
kept  the  faith,  but  rather  calmly  "  wrap  the  draperies  of  our  couch 
about  us  and  lie  down  to  pleasant  dreams,"  because  we  have  re- 
ceived into  our  hearts,  and  in  so  far  as  frail  mortality  permitted, 
obeyed  the  sublime  and  immortal  teachings  of  God  for  right  liv- 
ing, that  we  have  received  in  the  Chapter,  here  before  the  Ark  of 
the  Covenant,  at  the  feet  of  the  cherubim  of  the  Lord?  And 
may  the  ineffable  glory  of  the  "name  that  no  man  knoweth  " 
bring  peace  to  our  troubled  souls,  in  the  infinite  compassion  of  the 
divine  mercy  of  Him  "  whose  path  the  whirlwind  is,  whose  breath 
the  storm !  " 


47 


Grand   High   Priest^s   Address 


Boston,  December  12,  1911. 
To  the  Grand  Royal  Arch  Chapter  of  Massachusetts :  — 

At  the  close  of  a  second  year  of  service  I  greet  you  in  con- 
gratulation upon  the  prosperous  and  harmonious  conditions  that 
encompass  our  beautiful  Capitular  Rite  here  in  Massachusetts. 
As  one  drifting  by  some  fair  isle  of  Greece  over  the  blue  waters 
of  the  Mediterranean  sees  through  the  boat's  clear  bottom  of  glass 
unexpected  vistas  of  beauty,  caves  and  caverns  of  delight,  chang- 
ing seascapes  of  marine  plants  and  life  most  wonderful  and  en- 
trancing, so,  as  I  have  journeyed  over  the  Commonwealth,  visiting 
Chapters  in  all  sections,  from  the  mountains  to  the  sea,  I,  too, 
have  seen  unexpected  and  hitherto  unknown  beauties  of  vista  in 
Masonry.  As  I  have  met  the  Companions  within  their  own 
Chapter  halls,  have  seen  their  treasured  portraits  and  mementos 
on  the  walls,  have  listened  to  the  stories  of  history  and  tradition, 
the  tales  of  deeds  of  self-sacrifice  and  generous  emulation,  the 
epics  of  the  glories  of  the  Past  that  cluster  around  their  ancient 
halls ;  as  I  have  sat,  side  by  side,  with  these  devoted  upholders  of 
our  Scarlet  Banner  of  Zeal,  I,  too,  have  seen  our  great  institution 
from  new  view  points,  and  have  seen  rare  flowers  growing  in  the 
hearts  of  men.  I  have  found  everywhere  an  abiding  love  for  the 
Chapter,  an  appreciation  of  its  charms  and  beauties,  and  a  chival- 
ric  emulation  in  the  practice  of  true  fraternity  that  have  strength- 
ened my  own  love  for  Ancient  Craft  Masonry,  and  given  me 
larger  faith  in  its  future. 

The  numerical  record  for  the  year  is  as  follows :  — 

Number  of  members  1910,  22,053 
"         '<         "         1911,  22,629 
Net  gain, 576 

1 


As  the  Chapters  have  relegated  to  oblivion  the  crude  and  un- 
worthy horse-play  methods  of  former  days,  they  are  preceptibly 
gaining  in  dignity,  in  influence,  and  in  appeal  to  the  better  elements 
in  the  community.  Whatever  roughness  still  exists  in  Chapter 
work  in  Massachusetts  is  kept  secret  and  not  flaunted,  for  every 
High  Priest  knows  that,  if  permitted,  it  will  surely  lead  to  the  re- 
call of  the  Charter  of  the  Chapter.  Several  Chapters,  comprising 
practically  all  those  at  fault,  have  advised  me  of  the  entire  elimi- 
nation of  objectionable  practices. 

As  I  have  passed  over  the  threshold  of  Chapter  after  Chapter 
everywhere  I  have  found  the  emblem  of  mourning  for  some  loved 
Companion  who  had  passed  into  the  shadows  that  lie  beyond  the 
Royal  Arch.  One  member  of  the  Grand  Chapter  has  been  called 
from  us  this  year,  and  the  toll  of  Companions  summoned  has  been 
heavy,  393  having  died,  of  whom  23  were  Past  High  Priests. 

On  December  7,  only  five  days  ago.  Rev.  Dr.  A.  St.  John 
Chambre,  of  Lowell,  a  Past  Deputy  Grand  High  Priest  of  this 
Grand  Chapter,  was  called  from  earthly  labors  at  the  age  of 
seventy-one. 

One  of  the  foremost  Episcopal  clergymen  in  New  England, 
Dr.  Chambre  had  filled  his  long  life  to  the  brim  with  activities 
for  the  public  welfare  in  the  several  communities  in  which  he 
had  lived,  and  ever  raised  his  eloquent  voice  in  their  behalf. 

The  senior  living  Past  High  Priest  of  Mt.  Zion  Royal  Arch 
Chapter,  of  Stoughton,  he  served  as  Deputy  Grand  High  Priest 
of  this  Grand  Chapter  in  1873  ;  was  High  Priest  of  Miller  Royal 
Arch  Chapter,  of  Franklin,  in  the  years  1874,  1875,  1876,  1877 
and  1878,  He  had  also  served  as  Grand  Chaplain  of  the  Grand 
Lodge  of  Masons  of  Massachusetts,  and  as  Grand  Prelate  of  the 
Grand  Commandery  of  Knights  Templars  of  Massachusetts  and 
Rhode  Island. 

The  story  of  his  life  deserves  extended  notice  at  our  hands,  for, 
a  man  of  unblemished  character  and  of  wide  influence  in  the  Com- 
monwealth, he  was  devoted  to  Masonry,  and  especially  to  our 
beautiful  Capitular  Rite. 

Companions,  let  us  take  to  our  hearts  the  lesson  taught  by  his 
gentle  life,  and  gain  renewed  strength,  courage,  and  abiding  faith' 
for  the  battles  of  the  future. 


As  we  look  in  vain  for  a  friendly  face  that  has  gone,  listen  for 
the  sound  of  a  dearly  loved  voice  that  is  still,  may  we  not  say  in 
our  hearts  to  these  Companions :  — 


'*  Ah !  but  we'll  keep  thy  grave  green  with  love's  fountains. 
And  close  in  our  hearts  a  grave  greener  for  thee, 
With  a  grief  that  shall  last,  iriend,  as  long  as  the  mountains, 

As  deep  and  unchanged  as  the  sob  of  the  sea. 
The  heart-place  left  vacant  shall  never,  oh  never, 

By  another  be  claimed,  by  another  be  filled. 
Until  we,  too,  lie  down  in  thy  calm  sleep  forever. 
And  our  pulses,  like  thine,  friend,  forever  are  stilled." 

Daniel  0' Connell. 


One  name  among  the  long  list  of  the  dead  calls  for  especial  notice 
in  this  place  and  on  this  occasion.  Gen.  Samuel  C.  Lawrence,  a 
Past  High  Priest  of  Mystic  Royal  Arch  Chapter  of  Medford,  and 
District  Deputy  Grand  High  Priest  for  the  8th  Capitular  District 
for  the  years  1878-79,  died  Sept.  24  full  of  years  and  honors.  As 
Grand  Master  of  Masons  for  Massachusetts,  Grand  Commander  of 
the  Grand  Commandery  of  Massachusetts  and  Rhode  Island,  and 
until  he  resigned  on  account  of  health,  Most  Puissant  Grand 
Commander  of  the  Supreme  Council  of  Sovereign  Grand  Inspect- 
ors General  of  the  Thirty-third  Degree,  Ancient  and  Accepted 
Scottish  Rite,  for  the  Northern  Jurisdiction,  he  had  ever  given 
generously  of  strength  and  means  to  Masonry  and  was  the  fore- 
most and  most  impressive  figure  in  the  institution  in  Massachu- 
setts. By  his  will,  in  addition  to  other  numerous  and  large  gifts  to 
Masonic  charities  and  institutions,  he  gave  $5,000  to  the  Charity 
Fund  of  his  own  Chapter,  Mystic  of  Medford. 

Companions,  as  we  bend  low  our  heads  in  sorrow  and  strike  the 
sombre  chords  of  music  in  memory  of  those  we  loved,  may  we  not 
also  especially  recall  the  proud  and  glorious  record  of  this  our 
friend,  who  was  a  brave  and  gallant  soldier,  a  wise  financier,  a 
scholarly  man  of  affairs  and  leader  of  men,  generous  in  both  large 
and  small  matters,  an  illustrious  Mason  who  exemplified  its  teach- 
ings, a  true  lover  of  mankind. 


DECISIONS 

To  Wareham  Royal  Arch  Chapter  of  Wareham  : — 

Ruled:  That  under  the  law  it  is  necessary  to  install  every  officer 
on  re-election. 

To  Royal  Arch  Chapter  of  the  Tabernacle,  Maiden,  who  were 
requested  by  Cambridge  Royal  Arch  Chapter  to  give  release  of 
jurisdiction  over  a  resident  of  Everett,  a  dispensation  having  pre- 
viously  issued  to  form  a  new  Chapter  at  Everett : — 

Ruled:  That  the  jurisdiction  of  Royal  Arch  Chapter  of  the 
Tabernacle  over  Everett  was  suspended  by  the  granting  of  a  dis- 
pensation to  form  a  new  Chapter  in  Everett,  such  suspension  of 
jurisdiction  to  become  permanent  when  and  if  Charter  issues. 

To  Companion  N.  J.  Deering  of  Harmony  Royal  Arch  Chapter 
of  East  Bridgewater  asking  construction  of  Article  XVI  of  Grand 
Constitution : — 

"  No  candidate  whose  application  may  be  rejected  in  any 
Chapter  under  this  Jurisdiction  shall  again  be  proposed- 
in  the  same  Chapter  within  six  months  after  such  rejec- 
tion, nor  in  any  other  Chapter  other  than  that  in  which 
he  was  rejected  within  five  years  without  a  recommenda- 
tion from  nine  members  of  said  Chapter,  of  whom  High 
Priest,  King  and  Scribe  shall  be  three  and  the  consent 
of  the  Chapter." 

Ruled:  That  a  rejected  candidate  could  not  be  again  proposed 
in  the  same  Chapter  within  six  months  after  such  rejection  "  under 
any  circumstances. '*' 

To  Excellent  John  H.  Branigan,  High  Priest  of  St.  Elmo 
Royal  Arch  Chapter  of  Whitinsville,  requesting  an  opinion  as  to 
eligibility  of  a  Mason  who  had  lost  his  right  hand  at  the  wrist, 
using  an  artificial  hand  ; — 

Reply :  That  the  Digest  of  Capitular  Law  adopted  by  the  Grand'' 
Royal  Arch  Chapter  of  Massachusetts,  Dec.  9,  ,1902,  reads  as 
follows  : — 

"  No  Chapter  under  this  Jurisdiction  shall  confer  the 
Chapter  degrees  upon  any  Mason  whose  physical  defects- 
are  such  as  to  prevent  him  from  receiving  and  imparting, 
the  ceremonies  of  the  several  degrees," 


Ruled:  That  under  the  above  direct  limitation  of  power  no 
Chapter  can  lawfully  confer  the  degrees  upon  a  Mason  who  has  lost 
his  hand  at  the  wrist,  even  though  he  may  use  an  artificial  hand. 

DISPENSATIONS 

I  have  used  the  authority  specially  given  by  law  and  in  a  very 
few  special  cases  have  granted  dispensations  to  receive  and  act 
upon  an  application  at  same  meeting,  as  for  example  where  a  candi- 
date born  in  the  town  where  Chapter  is  located  lived  there  to 
maturity,  a  member  of  the  local  Blue  Lodge,  in  high  standing  in 
the  community  and  well  known,  was  at  home  on  a  brief  furlough 
from  government  employment  in  the  Philippines  and  wished  to 
join  the  Chapter  in  his  home  town.  The  printed  notice  of  the 
meeting  carries  the  fact  of  the  dispensation  to  every  member. 

All  requests  for  dispensations  that  the  candidate  might  be 
hurried  through  to  the  Commandery,  etc.  have  been  refused. 

NEW    CHAPTERS 

Two  dispensations  have  been  granted  to  form  new  Chapters  : 
on  February  22,  to  form  Bethsaida  Royal  Arch  Chapter,  at 
Everett,  and  on  March  7,  to  form  Rabboni  Royal  Arch  Chapter, 
at  North  Attleborough.  Both  of  those  Chapters  start  life  under 
the  most  favorable  auspices,  the  demand  being  unmistakable.  A 
dispensation  for  a  new  Chapter  at  Andover  was  refused.  One 
Chapter,  Ipswich  Royal  Arch  Chapter,  of  Ipswich,  was  duly  con- 
stituted in  ancient  form  and  ceremony  on  October  1 6,  a  Special 
Convocation  of  the  Grand  Royal  Arch  Chapter  being  called  for 
that  purpose. 

OTHER    DISPENSATIONS 

March  21  To  Mt.  Horeb  Royal  Arch  Chapter,  of  Lowell,  to 
attend  divine  service  on  Easter  Sunday,  at  St.  John's 
Episcopal  Church,  with  other  Masonic  bodies,  in  com- 
memoration of  "  the  laying  of  the  corner-stone  of 
that  church  fifty  years  ago." 

August  29  To  Holten  Royal  Arch  Chapter,  of  Danvers,  to  hold 
election  for  Treasurer,  to  fill  vacancy  caused  by  death. 

5 


TO    HOLD    EXEMPLIFICATIONS 


14th  Capitular  District 


13th  Capitular  District 


4th  Capitular  District 


1st  Capitular  District 


3d  Capitular    District 


To  R.-.  E.-.  Walter  L.  Collins,  District 
Deputy  Grand  High  Priest,  at  Milford, 
February  22. 

To  R.-.  E.-.  Arthur  Twitchell,  District 
Deputy  Grand  High  Priest,  at  Xatick, 
February  22. 

To  R.'.  E.-.  Charles  D.  Perkins,  District 
Deputy  Grand  High  Priest,  at  Worces- 
ter, March  3. 

To  R.'.  E.-.  James  S.  Blake,  District 
Deputy  Grand  High  Priest,  at  Boston, 
March  24. 

To  R.-.  E.-.  Lewis  M.  Witherell,  Dis- 
trict Deputy  Grand  High  Priest,  at 
Taunton,  April  1. 
12th  Capitular  District  To  R.*.  E.-.  Charles  B.  Marchant,  Dis- 
trict Deputy  Grand  High  Priest,  at 
Hyannis,  April  12. 

To  R.-.  E.-.  Edward  J.  Reece,  District 
Deputy  Grand  High  Priest,  at  Green- 
field, April  14. 

To  R.'.  E.'.  Edwin  L.  Davis,  District 
Deputy  Grand  High  Priest,  at  Spring- 
field, April  21. 

To  R.-.  E.-.  Eben  H.  Cain,  District 
Deputy  Grand  High  Priest,  at  Brock- 
ton, May  5. 

To  R.-.  E.-.  George  E.  Collins,  District 
Deputy  Grand  High  Priest,  at  Haver- 
hill, September  20. 
11th  Capitular  District  To  R.*.  E.-.  Charles  W.  Godfrey,  Dis- 
trict Deputy  Grand  High  Priest,  at 
Fitchburg,  November  22. 

the  3d,  4th,  5th,  6th,  12th,  13th  and  14th 


6th  Capitular  District 


5th  Capitular  District 


7th  Capitular  District 


9th  Capitular  District 


I  attended  those  in 
Districts. 


VISITATIONS 


During  the  year,  accepting  all  possible  invitations,  I  have,  as 
Grand  High  Priest,  made  twenty-seven  visitations  to  Chapters  in 
formal  session,  have  presided  over  four  regular  and  one  special 
Grand  Chapter  Convocations,  and  have    also  attended  on   eight 


other  occasions  —  in  all  forty,  making  for  the  two  years  ninety- 
nine.  These  include  visits  to  eleven  home  Chapters  of  Grand 
officers  during  the  year.  During  the  two  years'  service  I  have 
visited  fifty  out  of  the  eighty-one  Chapters  in  the  Commonwealth, 
but  these  involved  making  sixty-five  visits  to  Chapters.  On 
account  of  a  hurried  trip  to  California  in  May,  caused  by  the 
death  of  a  relative,  R.*.  E.*.  Jesse  E.  Ames,  Deputy  Grand  High 
Priest,  took  my  place  at  the  exemplification  at  Brockton  and  a 
visitation  at  St.  Elmo  Chapter  at  Whitinsville.  I  desire  to  ex- 
press my  cordial  appreciation  of  the  services  of  R.'.  E.*.  Com- 
panion Ames.  Heavily  burdened  by  two  severe  auto  accidents 
during  the  year,  each  time  breaking  a  leg,  he  is  entitled  to  your 
warmest  sympathy. 

LIST    OF    VISITATIONS 

Dec.  27,  1910  Grand  Lodge  of  Masons  of  Massachusetts,  Feast 
of  St.  John,  at  Boston. 

M.-.  W.-.  Dana  J.  Flanders,  Grand  Master. 

Jan.     5,  1911     Sutton  Royal  Arch  Chapter,  Lynn. 
Forrest  M.  Adams,  High  Priest. 

Jan.      8,  1911     Washington    Royal    Arch    Chapter,    of    Salem. 
Charles  Goodwin,  High  Priest. 
Special  Convocation    to   attend  church,  part   of 
celebration  of  100th  anniversary  of  constitution 
of  Chapter. 

Jan.  9,  1911  Washington  Royal  Arch  Chapter,  Salem.  Home 
Chapter  of  Charles  Goodwin,  Grand  Principal  So- 
journer and  High  Priest.  Continuation  of  100th 
anniversary  celebration,  banquet.  Attended  by 
M.'.  W.-.  Dana  J.  Flanders,  Grand  Master  of 
Masons,  and  R.-.  E.-.  J.  Albert  Blake,  Grand 
Commander. 

Jan.    19,  1911     Waltham  Royal  Arch  Chapter,  Waltham. 
Charles  J.  Shepard,  High  Priest. 
Accepted  Honorary  Membership.     Installed  offi- 
cers   with  assistance  of  M.*.   E.'.   Harry    Hunt, 
Past  Grand  High  Priest. 

Jan.  20,  1911  Boston  Commandery,  Knights  Templar.  Jesse 
E.  Ames,  Eminent  Commander.     Ladies'  Night. 

Jan.  27,  1911.  De  Molay  Commandery,  Knights  Templar. 
Edwin  F.  Woodbury,  Eminent  Commander. 
Ladies'  Night. 


Feb.  7,  1911  Grand  Royal  Arch  Chapter  of  New  York.  An- 
nual session. 

M.-.  E.-.  Jay  B.  Kline,  Grand  High  Priest. 
Attended  by  R.*.  E.*.  Jesse  E.  Ames,  Deputy 
Grand  High.  Priest. 

Feb.  16,  1911     Mt.    Vernon    Royal    Arch    Chapter,    Roxbury. 
John  W.  Bosworth,  High  Priest. 
E.-.  Charles  G.  Bird  as  acting  G.'.  C*.  of  H.\ 

Feb.  22,  1911  Exemplification  of  degree  work  at  Milford  with 
Mt.  Lebanon  Royal  Arch  Chapter. 

C.  A.  Lilley,  High  Priest. 
The  Home  Chapter  of  R.-.  E.-.  Walter  L.  Col- 
lins, District  Deputy  Grand  High  Priest. 

Feb.  22,  1911  Exemplification  of  degree  work  at  Natick  with 
Parker  Royal  Arch  Chapter. 

William  Todd,  High  Priest. 
The  Home  Chapter  of  R.*.  E.-.  Arthur  Twitchell, 
District  Deputy  Grand  High. Priest  of  the  13th 
Capitular  District.  E.*.  John  A.  L.  Von  Betzen 
and  F.  L.  Blanchard,  acting  G.-.  C*.  of  H.-.;  E.*. 
L.  L.  Green,  Grand  Lecturer. 

Mar.  3,  1911  Exemplification  at  Worcester  in  charge  of  R.". 
E.*.  Charles  D.  Perkins,  District  Deputy  Grand 
High  Priest  of  4th  District,  with  Worcester 
Royal  Arch  Chapter. 

Fred  W.  Leavitt,  High  Priest. 
The  Home  Chapter  of  E.-.  Charles  W.  Delano, 
Grand  Lecturer.     E.*.  A.    E.  Adams,  G.*.  S.*., 
acting  G.'.  C.'.  of  H.-. 

Mar.    3,  1911     St.  Matthew's  Royal  Arch  Chapter,  South  Boston. 
Charles  M.  Hamburger,  High  Priest. 

Mar.  14,  1911     Bancroft  Royal  Arch  Chapter,  Ayer. 
John  P.  Lentz,  High  Priest. 
E.-.  E.  O.  Burton,   G.-.  R.-.  A.-.  C.-.,  as  G.-.  C.-. 
of  H.-. 

Mar.  16,  1911     Somerville  Royal  Arch  Chapter,  Somerville. 
R.  Stanley  Smith,  High  Priest. 
Home  Chapter  of  R.-.  E.-.  David  T.  Montague, 
District     Deputy    Grand   High    Priest     of    15th 
District.     E.".  Wilfred  D.  Smith,  acting  G.-.  C.-. 
of  H.-. 


Mar.  18,  1911  Past  High  Priests'  Association  1st  Capitular 
District,  Boston. 

R.*.  E.*.    Edwin   S.    Crandon,  President. 

Mar.  20,  1911  Royal  Arch  Chapter  of  the  Tabernacle,  Maiden. 
Wm.  Anderson,  High  Priest,  25th  anniver- 
sary. 

Mar.  22,  1911     Evening  Star  Royal  Arch  Chapter,  Westfield. 
John  E.  Boyle,  High  Priest. 
E.-.  R.  W.  Browning,  acting  G.-.  C*.  of  H.-. 

Mar.  24,  1911  Cambridge  Council  Royal  and  Select  Masters, 
Cambridge,  Constitution  of  new  Council  by 
M.*.  I.'.  Everett  C.  Benton,  Grand  Master. 

Mar.  31,  1911     Hebron  Royal  Arch  Chapter,  Norwood. 
W.  U.  Lowden,   High   Priest. 
E.-.  L.  B.  Friswold,  acting  G.*.  C.-.  of  H.*. 

April  1,  1911  Exemplification  of  degree  w^ork  at  Taunton  with 
St.  Mark's  Royal  Arch  Chapter. 

Enos    D.    Williams,  High  Priest. 
R.-.  E.-.  Lewis    M.   Witherell,  District  Deputy 
Grand  High  Priest  of  3d  Capitular  District ;  E.*. 
Thomas  Jackson,  acting  G.'.  C*.  of  H.*.;  E.*.  L. 
L.  Green,  Grand  Lecturer. 

April    5,  1911     Corinthian  Royal  Arch  Chapter,  Adams. 
Thomas  D.  Brown,  High  Priest. 
Presented  seven  Past  High  Priest  and  one  Princi- 
pal Sojourner  jewels.     E.'.  J.  P.  Barnes,  acting 
G.-.  C.-.  of  H.-. 

April  14,  1911     Exemplification   of  degree    work   at   Greenfield, 
with  Franklin  Royal  Arch  Chapter. 
Charles  E.  Winslow,  High  Priest. 

The  Home  Chapter  of  R.-.  E.*.  Edward  J.  Reece, 
District  Deputy  Grand  High  Priest  of  6th  Dis- 
trict. E.-.  J.  E.  Boyle,  acting  G.-.  C*.  of  H.-. ; 
E.*.  Charles  W.  Delano,  Grand  Lecturer. 

April  18,  1911  St.  Paul's  Royal  Arch  Chapter,  Boston. 
E.  H.  Kavanagh,  High  Priest. 
Reception  of  Travelling  Triangle.  Home  Chap- 
ter of  R.*.  E.'.  James  S.  Blake,  District  Deputy 
Grand  High  Priest  of  l^st  District.  E.  Charles 
Goodwin,  Grand  Principal  Sojourner,  acting  G.*. 
C.-.  of  H.-. 


April  21, 1911  Exemplification  of  degree  work  at  Springfield 
under  charge  of  R.-.  E.-.  Edwin  L.  Davis,  District 
Deputy  Grand  High  Priest  of  5th  District,  with 
Morning  Star  Royal  Arch  Chapter. 

Charles  E.  Hamilton,  High  Priest. 

E.*.  Charles  W.  Delano,  Grand  Lecturer  ;  E.*.  I. 
W.  Davis,  Grand  Master  3d  Veil,  acting  G.-.  C.'. 
of  H.-. 

April  24,  1911     Fall  River  Royal  Arch  Chapter,  Fall  River. 
Frank  B.  Hinckley,  High  Priest. 
E.-.  Wm.  Martiu,  acting  G.*.  C.-.  of  H.-. 
June     7,  1911     Waverly  Royal  Arch  Chapter,  Melrose. 
Willis  O.  Chapman,  High  Priest. 
Home  Chapter  of  R.*.  E.-.  William  Wooldridge, 
District  Deputy  Grand  High  Priest  of  8th  Capit- 
ular District. 
June  19,  1911     Orient  Royal  Arch  Chapter,  Hyannis. 
Walter  B.  Chase,  High  Priest. 
Home  Chapter  of  R.*.  E.*.  Charles  B.  Marchant, 
District    Deputy    Grand   High    Priest  of    12th 
Capitular  District. 
June  28,  1911     Joseph  Warren  Royal  Arch  Chapter,  Province- 
town. 

Edwin  W.  Smith,  High  Priest. 
July   12,  1911     Fall    River    Royal    Arch    Chapter,   Fall    River. 
Frank  B.  Hinckley,  High  Priest. 
Clam  Bake  (informal.) 
Sept.  19,  1911     Mt.  Horeb  Royal  Arch  Chapter,  Lowell. 
Horace  S.  Bacon,  High  Priest. 
Accompanied   by   M.*.    L*.   Everett  C.    Benton, 
Grand  Master  of  Grand  Council. 

Sept.  20,  1911      Unity    Royal    Arch    Chapter,    Chicopee    Falls. 
William  A.  Lorimer,  High  Priest. 
Home  Chapter  of  R.*.  E.-.  Edwin  L.  Davis,  Dis- 
trict Deputy  Grand  High  Priest  of  5th  District. 
E.'.  T.  H.  Baldwin,  acting  C.-.  of  H.-. 

Oct.    12,  1911.    Norfolk  Royal  Arch  Chapter,  Hyde  Park. 
John  W.  Kennington,  High  Priest. 
Installed  officers  with  assistance  of  R.*.  E.*.  Ed- 
win S.,Crandon,  Past  Deputy  Grand  High  Priest ; 
R.\   E.  .  Samuel  Crowell,  Past    Deputy   Grand 
High  Priest;  and  E.*.  Frank  F.  Cook. 

10 


Oct.  13,  1911.     Cambridge    Royal    Arch    Chapter,    Cambridge. 
Charles  R.  MacLean,  High  Priest. 
Presentation  of  flag  to  Chapter  by  its  Past  High 
Priests. 
Oct.    16,  1911     Constitution   of   Ipswich    Royal    Arch  Chapter, 
Ipswich.      Installed   officers    with    assistance    of 
R.'.  E.'.  Charles    H.   Preston,    District    Deputy 
Grand  High  Priest,  2d  District ;  R.-.  E.-.  David 
T.  Montague,  District  Deputy  Grand  High  Priest, 
15th    District;    and    E.-.    L.    L.    Green,    Grand 
Lecturer. 
Dec.     1,  1911     What  Cheer  Lodge,  F.  &  A.  M.,  Providence,  R.  I. 
Albert  Knight,  Worshipful  Master. 
E.-.  E.  O.   Burton,  Grand  Royal  Arch  Captain, 
acting  as  G.'.  C*.  of  H.*. 
Appended  to  this  report  are  the  addresses  delivered  at  Wash- 
ington Royal  Arch  Chapter,    Salem,  100th  anniversary;    Royal 
Arch    Chapter   of   the   Tabernacle,    Maiden,    25th    anniversary  j 
Constitution  of  Cambridge  Council,  Royal  and  Select  Masters. 

On  February  7,  at  the  courteous  invitation  of  M.*.  E.*.  Jay  B. 
Kline,  Grand  High  Priest  of  New  York,  R.*.  E.-.  Jesse  E.  Ames, 
Deputy  Grand  High  Priest,  and  myself  attended  the  annual  session 
of  the  Grand  Royal  Arch  Chapter  of  the  State  of  New  York,  at 
Albany,  where  we  were  received  officially  and  most  courteously. 
In  the  afternoon  we  were  entertained  at  an  elaborate  banquet, 
and  in  the  evening  attended  the  Fraternal  Union  of  High  Priests 
and  an  exemplification,  everywhere  being  warmly  welcomed  as 
representatives  from  Massachusetts. 

GRAND    OFFICERS 

All  the  Grand  officers  have  been  most  generous  in  service,  and 
to  each  and  all  I  return  my  hearty  thanks.  To  the  District  Depu- 
ties I  am  especially  obliged,  for  they  have  been  warmly  zealous 
in  their  service  to  the  Craft.  To  those  who  have  installed  the 
officers  of  their  Chapters ;  to  those  who  have  encouraged  the  use 
of  the  lectures ;  to  those  who  have  held  exemplifications ;  to  those 
who  have  responded  so  quickly  to  my  appeal  in  cutting  down  their 
official  expenses ;  to  those  who  have  so  worthily  upheld  the 
dignity  of  their  high  place,  I  am  very,  very  grateful. 

Your  efficient    Grand  Secretary,  M.*.  E.-.  J.  Oilman    Waite, 

11 


has  borne  the  burden  and  the  heat  of  a  trying  year  of  service,  and 
I  gratefully  acknowledge  my  continued  indebtedness  to  him  for 
many  personal  as  well  as  official  courtesies.  Owing  to  inter- 
change of  courtesies,  the  annual  Report  of  Proceedings  of  the 
Grand  Council  will  issue  by  January  6,  and  that  of  the  Grand 
Chapter  by  January  20. 

I  again  return  my  thanks  to  E.'.  Edward  P.  Hatch,  Grand 
Captain  of  the  Host,  who  has  given  such  further  generous  service 
to  Capitular  Masonry  during  the  past  year  under  trying  conditions. 
Also,  I  would  acknowledge  my  appreciation  of  the  several  Com- 
panions who  have,  upon  occasion,  acted  as  Grand  Captain  of  the 
Host,  in  the  absence  of  E.-.  Companion  Hatch,  owing  to  the  illness 
and  death  of  his  wife. 

ROLL  OF  HONOR 
Under  the  call  contained  in  the  letter  to  the  Deputies,  I  have 
received  information  from  which  has  been  prepared  the  following 

ROLL    OF     HONOR 

containing  the  names  of  those  present  Chapter  officers  who  have 
served  continuously  in  one  position  for  more,  than  20  years. 

J.  W.  Richardson,  Tyler,  Mt.  Zion  R.  A.  Chapter,  Stoughton, 
20  years  of  service. 

(Also  Tyler  of  Rising  Star  Lodge  35  years.) 

A.  Frederick  M.  Lander,  Secretary,  Morning  Star  R.  A.  Chap- 
ter, Springfield,  20  years  of  service. 

Orthello  K.  Merrill,  Treasurer,  Morning  Star  R.  A.  Chapter, 
Springfield,  20  years  of  service. 

Amos  Lamb,  Treasurer,  North  Star  R.  A.  Chapter,  Winchen- 
don,  21  years  of  service. 

(Also  previously  served  as  Treasurer  9  years,  as  Chaplain  6 
years,  and  as  R.  A.  C.  and  King  1  year  each,  a  total  of  38 
years.) 

Excellent  Companion  Frank  H.  Rundlett,  Tyler,  King  Cyrus 
R.  A.  Chapter,  Newburyport,  21  years  of  service. 
(High  Priest  1887-89.) 

Benj.  P.  Gilman,  Secretary,  Pentucket  R.  A.  Chapter,  Haver- 
hill, 2 1  years  of  service. 

Daniel  E.  Makepeace,  Treasurer,  King  Hiram  R.  A.  Chapter, 
Attleboro,  21  years  of  service. 


Excellent  Companion   William  M.  Thorup,    Secretary,  Adoni- 
ram  R.  A.  Chapter,  New  Bedford,  21  years  of  service. 
(High  Priest  2  years.) 

Joseph  M.  Pierce,  Tyler,  Thomas  R.  A.  Chapter,  Fitchburg,  21 
years  of  service. 

(Also  Tyler  Aurora  Lodge,  Charles  W.  Moore  Lodge,  Jeru- 
salem Commandery.) 

George  H.  Robbins,  P.  S.,  R.  A.  Chapter  of  Signet,  Charlestown,. 
22  years  of  service. 

(Also  10  years  in  other  offices.) 

George  W.  S.  Rollins,   Tyler,   Washington    R.    A.   Chapter, 
Salem,  23  years  of  service. 

George  H.   Herrick,   Secretary,   King  Hiram  R.  A.  Chapter, 
Attleboro,  23  years  of  service. 

(Also  Recorder  of  Commandery  14  years.) 

Converse  Ward,  Treasurer,  Union  R.  A.   Chapter,  Athol,  25 
years  of  service. 

Edwin  C.  Wheelock,  Steward,  St.  Paul's  R.  A.  Chapter,  Boston, 

25  years  of  service. 

Joseph  H.  Haines,  Treasurer,  Sutton  R.  A.  Chapter,  Lynn,  25 
years  of  service. 

Excellent  Companion   Frederic  A.  Flint,  Treasurer,   Woburn 
R.  A.  Chapter,  Woburn,  25  years  of  service. 
(High  Priest,  1880-1.) 

William  L.  Barber,  Secretary,  Woburn  R.  A.  Chapter,  Woburn, 

26  years  of  service. 

Thomas  W.  Spence,  Tyler,  Miller  R.  A.  Chapter,  Franklin,  26 
years  of  service. 

Adolphus  R.  Martin,  Treasurer,  Unity  R.  A.  Chapter,  Chicopee 
Falls,  27  years  of  service. 

Hervey  S.  Rawley,  Treasurer,  Crescent  R.  A.  Chapter,  Orange, 

27  years  of  service. 

Romanzo  G.  Pritchard,  Tyler,  Franklin  R.  A.  Chapter,  Green- 
field, 27  years  of  service. 

(Tyler  5  years  before,  also  Tyler  for  4  Masonic  bodies.) 
Right  Excellent  Henry  S.  Bunton,  Treasurer,  Norfolk  R.  A. 
Chapter,  Hyde  Park,  28  years  of  service. 

(Also  other  offices,  14  years ;  Deputy  Grand  High  Priest 
1884;  Past  District  Deputv  Grand  Master;  Past  Grand 
Principal  Conductor  of  the  Work  ;  also  Past  Eminent  Com- 
mander.) 

13 


Charles   E.  Irving,  Tyler,  Sutton    R    A.  Chapter,  Lynn,  28 
years  of  service. 

Frank  E.  Draper,  Organist,  Hebron  R.  A.  Chapter,  Norwood, 
28  years  of  service. 

Warren  E.  Rhodes,  Tjler,  Hebron  R.  A.  Chapter,  Norwood, 
28  years  of  service. 

Harvey  H.  Whitney,  Treasurer,  Parker  R.  A.  Chapter,  Natick, 
28  years  of  service. 

Junius  B.  Temple,  Secretary,  Composite  R.  A.  Chapter,  North 
Adams,  28  years  of  service. 

Excellent  Companion  Harvey  O.  Sparrow,  C*.  of  H.*.,  Joseph 
Warren  R.  A.  Chapter,  Provincetown,  30  years  of  service. 

Albert  H.  Perry,  Tyler,  Houghton  R.  A.  Chapter,  Marlboro, 
31  years  of  service. 

George  F.  Pratt,  Treasurer,  St.  Mark's  Royal  Arch  Chapter, 
Taunton,  31  years  of  service. 

(Also  been  Treasurer  of  Bristol  County,  37  years.) 

Rev.  Henry  C.  De  Long,  Chaplain,  Mystic  R.  A.   Chapter, 
Medford,  31  years  of  service. 

William  O.  Hood,  Treasurer,  Holton  R.  A.  Chapter,  Danvers, 
31  years  of  service. 

William  H.  Gerrish,  Organist,  St.  Paul's  R.  A.  Chapter,  Boston, 
31  years  of  service. 

(Also  organist  Grand  Lodge,  15  years  ;  Lafayette  Lodge,  15  ; 
Mt.  Vernon  Chapter,  23 ;  Boston  Council,  24 ;  Columbian 
Lodge,  27;  Lodge  of  Eleusis  and  Aberdour,  28  each ;  Zetland 
Lodge,  30  ;  Massachusetts  Lodge,  31 ;  Roxbury  Council,  34; 
Revere  Lodge,  39  ;  Washington  Lodge,  43  ;  also  Joseph 
Warren  Commandery  as  organist,  22  years,  then  as  recorder 
to  date,  21 ;  also  other  Masonic  bodies  as  organist  to  a  total 
of  57  years  of  service ;  has  attended  over  5,000  Masonic 
meetings.     Grand  total,  468  years.) 

Rufus  R.  Crane,  Secretary,  Tyrian  R.  A.  Chapter,  Millbury, 
34  years  of  service. 

(Also  served  in  other  offices  3  years.) 

Right  Excellent  George  E.  Stacey,  C.  of  H.,  Mt.  Lebanon  R. 
A.  Chapter,  Milford,  36  years  of  service. 

(Served  in  various  Chapter  and  Grand  Chapter  offices  10 
years  and  as  High  Priest  1868-71 ;  Deputy  Grand  High 
Priest    1874;  also  Worshipful  Master  of  Montgomery  Lodge; 

14 


District  Deputy  Grand  Master,  6  years ;  Excellent  Com- 
mander of  Milford  Commandery  ;  Prelate  of  Commandery,  37 
years,  etc.) 

Excellent  Companion  E.  Frank  Home,  Tyler,  Pentucket  R.  A. 
Chapter,  Haverhill,  37  years  of  service. 

John  Mettzer,  Tyler,  Holten  R.  A.  Chapter,  Danvers,  38  years 
of  service. 

Henry  H.  Flint,  Tyler,  Eureka  Royal  Arch  Chapter,  Worces- 
ter, 38  years  of  service. 

Charles  H.  Parks,  Tyler,  Waltham  R.  A.  Chapter,  Waltham, 
41  years  of  service. 

Charles  S.  Beatley,  Secretary,  Royal  Arch  Chapter  of  the  She- 
kinah,  Chelsea,  41  years  of  service. 
(Also  3  years  in  other  offices.) 

Charles  E.  Lyon,  Chaplain,  Royal  Arch  Chapter  of  Signet, 
Charlestown,  42  years  of  service. 

George  B.  Green,  Treasurer,  Mystic  R.  A.  Chapter,  Medford, 
44  years  of  service. 

(Also  Treasurer  of  Mt.  Hermon  Lodge,  44  years ;  of  Melrose 
Council,  43  years. 

David  D.  Bowen,  Principal  Sojourner,  Corinthian  R.  A.  Chap- 
ter, Adams,  46  years  of  service. 

Theodore  H.  Emmons,  Secretary,  St.  Paul's  R.  A.  Chapter, 
Boston,  5 1  years  of  service. 

NOTES 

Excellent  Companion  Isaac  H.  Edgett,  Amity  R.  A.  Chapter, 
Beverly,  has  served  35  years  in  different  positions,  9  as  Treasurer^ 

Rev.  George  J.  Sanger  was  High  Priest  of  King  Solomon 
R.  A.  Chapter,  Warren,  U.*.  D.-.,  from  May  10,  1859,  to  June  14, 
1860,  than  to  Jan.  2,  1861  ;  was  also  Hi<jh  Priest  of  Webster 
R.  A.  Chapter,  now  Doric,  and  was  also  its  first  High  Priest 
(1867  to  1868)  under  Charter;  also  High  Priest  of  Holten  R.  A. 
Chapter,  Danvers,  U.'.  D.*.,  April,  1872,  to  January,  1873,  then 
under  Charter  to  1874,  and  was  Grand  Chaplain  in  1873. 

Excellent  Companion  Henry  C.  Skinner  served  37  years  as 
Secretary  of  Mt.  Lebanon  R.  A.  Chapter,  of  Milford,  resigning  in 
1909.  He  had  been  High  Priest,  Worshipful  Master  of  Mont- 
gomery Lodge,  District  Deputy  Grand  Master,  and  District  Deputy 
Grand  High  Priest. 

16 


Excellent  Companion  Sumner  Bagley,  Hebron  R.  A.  Chapter, 
Norwood,  served  in  all  positions,  including  High  Priest,  for 
28  years  to  his  death. 

Lewis  Day,  Hebron  E.  A.  Chapter,  Norwood,  served  26  years 
as  Treasurer  to  his  death. 

Story  Willard  Bridge  was  Tyler  of  King  Solomon  R.  A.  Chap- 
ter for  24  years  to  1908. 

Excellent  Companion  Harry  F.  Smith,  of  Walden  R.  A.  Chap- 
ter, of  Concord,  has  served  38  years  in  different  offices,  10  as 
Chaplain. 

Right  Excellent  Frank  B.  Spalter,  North  Star  R.  A.  Chap- 
ter, Winchendon,  has  served  in  various  offices  for  20  years,  in- 
cluding 12  years  as  R.*.  A.*.  C*. 

Excellent  Companion  Waldo  C.  Corey  has  served  North  Star 
R.  A.  Chapter,  of  Winchendon,  23  years  as  Principal  Sojourner, 
also  6  years  as  High  Priest,  and  4  years  in  other  positions,  in  all 
33  years. 

Excellent  Companion  George  B.  Stone,  deceased,  served  North 
Star  R.  A.  Chapter,  Winchendon,  16  years  as  Captain  of  Host,  3 
years  as  High  Priest,  and  7  years  in  other  positions,  in  all  26. 

George  S.  Richardson  has  served  Thomas  R.  A.  Chapter,  of 
Fitchburg,  17  years  continuously  as  Treasurer  to  date,  and  8 
years  in  other  positions. 

Excellent  Companion  George  L.  Griffin  served  R.  A.  Cha,pter 
of  Tabernacle,  Maiden,  as  Scribe,  King,  and  High  Priest,  and 
then  as  Treasurer,  16  years  to  date,  meanwhile  serving  as  Wor- 
shipful Master  of  Mt.  Vernon  Lodge,  Thrice  Illustrious  Master, 
Melrose  Council,  and  Eminent  Commander  of  Beauseant  Com- 
mandery. 

Excellent  Companion  William  Fisher  served  Mt.  Sinai  R.  A. 
Chapter,  of  Lawrence,  in  various  offices,  including  High  Priest, 
14  years,  then  as  Chaplain  10  years;  meanwhile  was  Worshipful 
Master  of  Tuscan  Lodge,  Thrice  Illustrious  Master  of  Lawrence 
Council,  Eminent  Commander  of  Bethany  Commandery  ;  also  Dis- 
trict Deputy  Grand  Master  and  District  Deputy  Grand  High 
Priest. 

Israel  Sampson  Worcester  served  Mt.  Sinai  R.  A.  Chapter,  of 
Lawrence,  in  various  offices  3  years,  and  then  as  Tyler  33  years 
to  1910;  was  Sentinel  of  Bethany  Commandery  33  years;  mean- 
while was  Worshipful  Master  of  Tuscan  Lodge. 

16 


Samuel  Brookings  served  King  Cyrus  R.  A.  Chapter,  of  New- 
buryport,  31  years  as  Secretary,  resigning  in  1909. 

Lawrence  B.  Cushing  served  King  ('yrus  R.  A.  Chapter,  of 
Newburyport,  20  years  as  King,  declining  re-election. 

The  late  Hon.  Gorham  D.  Gilman,  a  Charter  member  of 
Newton  Chapter,  served  the  Chapter  as  Chaplain  for  38  years 
from  its  institution. 

Charles  H.  Kimball  has  served  St.  Matthew's  R.  A.  Chapter  as 
Tyler  since  June,  ltt92  (19  years,  6  months.) 

Excellent  Companion  Alfred  H.  Hartley  served  Fall  River 
R.  A.  Chapter  7  years  in  various  offices,  including  High  Priest, 
then  as  Treasurer  19  years,  6  months,  24  days,  meanwhile  being 
District  Deputy  Grand  High  Priest. 

Excellent  Companion  James  L.  Sherman  served  Adoniram 
R.  A.  Chapter,  New  Bedford,  12  years  in  various  offices,  includ- 
ing High  Priest,  then  as  Treasurer  19  years,  meanwhile  being 
District  Deputy  Grand  High  Priest. 

Excellent  Companion  A.  E.  Standish,  of  Mt.  Zion  R.  A.  Chap- 
ter, of  Stouojhton,  served  33  years  in  various  positions,  including 

2  years  as  High  Priest,  11  as  Principal  Sojourner,  10  as  Chaplain. 

Excellent  Companion  George  F.  Walker,  of  Mt.  Zion  R.  A. 
Chapter,  Stoughton,  served  21  years  as  Treasurer  to  1908  ;  also  9 
years  in  other  positions,  including  High  Priest ;  also  has  been 
Worshipful  Master,  Rising  Star  Lodge  ;  Thrice  Illustrious  Mas- 
ter, Brockton  Council ;  Eminent  Commander,  Bay  State  Com- 
mandery,  of  Brockton ;  District  Deputy  Grand  Master,  22d 
District,  3  years ;  District  Deputy  Grand  High  Priest,  3d  District, 

3  years ;  Grand  King  of  Grand  Chapter ;  Senior  Grand  Warden 
of  Grand  Lodge. 

Excellent  Companion  Charles  H.  Chase,  of  Northampton 
Chapter,  of  Northampton,  has  served  20  years  in  various  positions. 

LETTER    TO    DEPUTIES 

The  following  letter  of  instructions  was  sent  to  the  Deputies, 
and  copies  sent  to  all  the  Chapters  to  be  read  in  session  :  — 

To  the  Bight  Excellent  District  Deputy  Grand  High  Priests  of  tlie  15 
Capitular  Districts  :  — 
On  the  threshold  of  a  new  year  I  congratulate  you  on  the  distinction 
of  having  been  selected  from  your  Companions  for  service  in  the  Grand 
Chapter,  for  your  evident  skill,  loyalty  and  fidelity,  and  your  exceeding 
love  for  Capitular  Masonry. 

17 


1st.  Remember  always  that  you  are  the  direct  personal  representa- 
tives of  the  Grand  High  Priest,  and  therefore  should  be  formally  received 
as  such,  on  visitations. 

2d.  As  I  wish  to  emphasize  your  appointment  and  its  honor,  I  shall 
be  glad  to  visit  the  Home  Chapter  of  each  District  Deputy  Grand  High 
Priest  at  some  time  during  the  coming  year.  I  leave  the  time  and  oc- 
casion to  you,  and  as  this  visit  is  to  be  in  your  special  honor,  this  should 
be  at  some  time  other  than  at  your  regular  official  visitation.  Further,  in 
order  to  enhance  the  dignity  of  appointments  to  ofl&ce  in  the  Grand  Royal 
Arch  Chapter,  you  are  authorized  to  state  that  the  Grand  High  Priest 
will  also,  upon  invitation  from  the  High  Priest,  visit  the  home  Chapter  of 
any  of  the  Grand  ofl&cers,  elected  and  appointed. 

3d.  Exemplifications.  The  following  districts  have  already  been  noti- 
fied through  their  Deputies  that  they  are  expected  or  required  to  hold 
exemplifications  this  year. 

1st     (2  degrees)  arranged  for  March  24;  Boston 
3d       "         "  "        '♦    April      1,  Taunton 

4th     "        ?•  "        "     March    3,  Worcester 

7th 
9th 
12th 

13th     (3  degrees)  held  Feb.  22,  Natick 

14th     "         "  "       "      "  Milford 

I  renew  the  following  recommendation  in  my  Annual  Report  to  the 
Grand  Chapter. 

"  I  believe  in  the  value  of  exemplifications.  I  feel  quite  confident 
that  Massachusptts  possesses  the  best  Grand  Lecturers  in  the  country, 
and  I  find  the  Chapters  universally  ready  to  co-operate  in  holding 
exemplifications. 

"As  conducted  today,  however,  trying  to  work,  with  comment,  all 
four  degrees  at  one  sitting  seems  to  me  to  involve  too  much  strain  upon 
Chapters,  audience,  and  Grand  Lecturers. 

"  I  have  authorized  the  Grand  Lecturers,  at  their  discretion,  to  change 
the  order  of  procedure  at  any  time,  and  work  the  Royal  Arch  Degree 
first,  to  avoid  that  indifference  and  neglect  that  come  with  weariness,  for 
it  is  too  important  to  be  always  placed  last. 

"  But  I  would  go  further,  and,  upon  occasion,  hold  an  exemplification 
each  year,  and  work  only  two  degrees  in  the  evening." 

In  this  connection  the  Grand  High  Priest  believes  that  the  new  districts, 
being  smaller  and  more  compact,  will  readily  permit  these  District  Grand 
Chapters  of  Instruction  to  be  alternately  held  at  each  end  of  the  district, 
tliereby  giving  opportunity  for  large  numbers  of  Companions  (many  of 
w^hom  are  future  officers)  to  attend. 

18 


4th.  Please  remember  that  one  of  the  Grand  Lecturers  will  visit  any 
Chapter  at  any  time,  for  purposes  of  instruction,  by  the  Chapter  paying 
his  expenses  and  services.  (At  exemplifications  the  Grand  Chapter  pays 
the  Lecturer.) 

Please  have  your  Chapters  take  full  advantage  of  this.  I  would  es 
pecially  emphasize  this  matter. 

6th.  Every  District  Deputy  Grand  High  Priest  is  expected  and  per- 
sonally requested  by  the  Grand  High  Priest  to  prepare  himself  to  install 
the  officers  of  any  Chapter  in  his  district  so  requesting. 

6th.  On  every  official  visit  to  the  several  Chapters  in  your  districts 
you  are  most  earnestly  requested  to  be  attended  by  a  suite  of  Grand 
officers,  Past  High  Priests,  and  members  of  the  Councils  of  the  Chapters 
in  your  district.     This  I  regard  as  important. 

7th.  The  Grand  High  Priest  has  become  firmly  impressed,  during  his 
visits  about  the  Commonwealth,  with  the  absolute  necessity  of  sustaining 
at  all  times  tlie  dignity  of  the  Chapter,  in  order  to  bring  out  clearly  the 
sublime  beauties  of  the  work.  The  regulations  of  the  Grand  Chapter  are 
imperative,  that  none  but  the  officers  can  take  any  part  in  the  ceremonies 
(except  by  request.)  As  the  High  Priest  in  each  Chapter  is  responsible 
for  his  officers,  you  will  promptly  report  to  the  Grand  High  Priest  any 
violation  of  the  special  requirements  as  to  work  in  the  Past  and  Roya^ 
Arch  Degrees,  that  the  Charter  of  the  offending  Chapter  may  be  recalled 
(vide  Grand  Chapter  By-Laws,  page  53,  edition  1902.) 

8th.     Your  commission  reads  :  — 

"  He  is  also  required  to  examine  their  Charters,  Records^  By- 
Laws  and  mode  of  work,  and  see  that  in  all  their  doings  they 
conform  to  the  ancient  customs  of  Royal  Arch  Masons  and 
the  rules  and  regulations  of  our  Grand  Chapter.  He  will  care- 
fully inspect  their  Books  of  Marks. 

"And  it  is  hereby  enjoined  upon  him  to  make  return  to  me  of 
his  doings  herein,  by  authority  of  this  Commission,  on  or  before 
Dec.  1,  1911." 

9th,  On  your  official  visitation  to  each  Chapter  in  your  District,  ex- 
amine with  care  the  Books  of  Marks,  and  in  your  annual  report  to  the 
Grand  High  Priest  specify  as  to  each  Chapter,  the  condition  and  use  of 
its  Books,  by  answering  the  following  questions  :  — 

1  Whether  any  present  members  of  the  Chapters  have  been  ex- 
alted to  the  Royal  Arch  Degree  whose  Marks  have  not  been 
recorded  in  the  Book  of  Marks.  If  any,  give  names  and  dates 
of  receiving  all  degrees. 

2  Are  the  Books  of  Marks  well  kept  and  in  good  condition  ? 

3  Are  the  Marks  accurately  and  artistically  drawn  and  are  they 
in  accordance  with  the  traditions  and  dignity  of  the  Order  ? 

19 


4  Do  the  Council  of  the  Chapter  understand  that  no  candidate 
should  be  exalted  to  the  Royal  Arch  Degree  until  his  Mark  has 
actually  been  recorded  in  the  Book  of  Marks  ? 

5  Does  an  intelligible  description  accompany  each  Mark  ? 

10th.  Please  use  your  utmost  influence  to  cause  the  Chapters  to  use 
the  several  Lectures  belonging  to  the  Degrees,  before  receiving  the  suc- 
ceeding degree.  Two  ofl&cers  in  each  Chapter  may  well  be  designated  as 
instructors  in  the  Lectures,  and  give  them  at  every  exemplification,  and 
from  time  to  time  in  the  Chapter,  especially  when  thei'e  are  no  degrees  to 
be  worked.  The  Grand  High  Priest  is  an  earnest  believer  in  the  value  of 
the  Lectures,  and  unhesitatingly  recommends  their  general  use  by  the 
Chapters. 

11th.  Please  remember  that  the  Grand  High  Priest  wishes  to  discour- 
age all  undue[_haste  and  "  railroading  "  of  candidates,  and  therefore  do  not 
forward  to  him  any  requests  for  dispensations,  unless  the  need  is  impera- 
tive. 

12th.  Your  attention  is  called  to  Art.  XI  of  the  Constitution  of  the 
Grand  Royal  Arch  Chapter,  as  follows  :  — 

"  every  Chapter  of  Royal  Arch  Masons  under  this  Jurisdiction 
shall  be  represented  by  its  High  Priest,  King  or  Scribe,  or  either 
of  them,  in  person  or  by  their  respective  proxies,  at  every  Con- 
vocation of  the  Grand  Chapter.  If  any  Chapter  under  this 
Jurisdiction  shall  neglect  to  be  .represented  in  this  Grand  Chapter 
for  two  years  in  succession  .         .         .         .         .         . 

then  the  said  Chapter  shall  forfeit 

its  Charter,  etc." 

The  Grand  High  Priest  would  ask  each  Deputy  to  attend  to  tliis  and  use 
every  endeavor  to  have  every  Chapter  in  his  district  represented  by  a 
member  of  the  Council,  if  possible,  at  every  ConvocafAon,  or  by  proxy  to  a 
member  in  any  event. 

13th.  The  Grand  High  Priest  has  seen  with  pleasure,  on  his  various 
visits,  many  ancient  Charters,  and  they  are  generally  carefully  preserved 
in  safes  or  safe  deposit  vaults,  but  there  are  still  many  in  regular  use  at 
Chapter  meetings  exposed  to  unnecessary  hazard  of  loss  or  damage  by 
wear,  accident  and  fire.  Note  article  12  of  Particular  Regulations  pro- 
viding for  use  of  Duplicate  Charters. 

Every  Chapter  should  by  all  means  procure  such  a  duplicate  Charter 
(for  ordinary  use)  and  keep  the  ancient  and  priceless  original  in  a  secure 
place. 

14tli.  The  Chapters  are  urged  to  procure  bookcases  (as  so  many  have 
already  done)  and  carefully  keep  the  valuable  proceedings  of  the  Grand 
Chapter  and  other  volumes  for  reference.  Such  a  library  will  inevitably 
attract  gifts  of  valuable  books. 

20 


15th.  The  Grand  High  Priest  renews,  strongly,  all  recommendations 
for  the  establishment  of  Permanent  Funds  by  Chapters  for  the  reasons 
that  they 

encourage  thrift ; 

discourage  extravagance  ; 

invite  bequests  ; 

prevent  unconsidered  and  ill- 
advised  use  of  present 

accumulation  by  action  at 

a  meeting  without  notice  ; 

provide  against  the  day  of 

famine  and  of  wrath  ; 

are  for  the  good  of  the  order. 

16th.  To  forestall  questions,  please  state  to  your  Chapters  that  proxies 
cannot  be  permitted  at  installations,  as  one  man  cannot  take  the  obliga- 
tion for  another ;  that  robes  cannot  be  used  in  public  ;  that  it  is  highly 
preferable,  not  required,  however,  that  all  Chapter  business  be  transacted 
in  the  Royal  Arch  Degree  for  the  reason  that  candidates  are  not  members 
of  the  Chapter  with  right  to  vote  until  they  have  taken  the  Royal  Arch 
Degree  and  signed  the  By-Laws  ;  that  one  man  cannot  be  installed  into  two 
conflicting  offices,  and  that  the  gavel  is  never  used  in  public. 

17th.  The  Chapter  banner  containing  the  ancient  coat-of-arms  of 
Masonry  is  very  beautiful  and  would  be  a  desirable  addition  in  every 
Chapter.     It  is  especially  recommended  for  presentation  purposes. 

18th.  Urge  every  Chapter  that  has  not  yet  forwarded  the  six  copies 
of  their  best  Marks  to  do  so  at  once.  The  book  is  now  ready  at  the 
Grand  Secretary's  office,  and  will  be  found  very  interesting.  It  may  be 
seen  by  any  Companion. 

19th.  The  Grand  High  Priest  has  found  so  many  present  officers  who 
have  served  their  Chapters  for  more  than  twenty  years  in  continuous 
service  in  one  office  that  he  wishes  to  make  a  Roll  of  Honor,  whereon 
the  names  of  such  officers  may  appear. 

Please  obtain  and  promptly  forward  such  particulars  from  all  the 
Chapters  in  your  several  districts,  giving  dates  and  full  details  of  the 
Masonic  history  of  the  officers. 

Trusting  these  various  recommendations  will  be  approved  and  heartily 
followed  by  you,  and  wishing  you  the  best  of  success  during  your 
service,  I  am 

Yours  very  sincerely  and  fraternally, 

Charles   Dana   Burrage, 
Grand  High  Priest  of  the  Grand  Royal  Arch 
Chapter  of  Massachusetts 
Boston  Mass,  Feb.  28,  1911 

21 


JURISDICTION 

The  following  have  been  appointed  a  Committee  on  Jurisdic- 
tion, and  are  hard  at  work  upon  the  problem  of  establishing  and 
laying  out  exclusive  and  concurrent  jurisdiction  for  each  Chapter: 
M/.  E/.  Harry  Hunt,  Chairman;  R.-.  E.'.  Albert  L.  Richardson, 
E.-.  Charles  W.  Delano. 

DEPUTIES 

During  the  months  of  September,  October  and  December  the 
fifteen  Deputies,  as  direct  representatives  of  the  Grand  High 
Priest,  have  visited  in  their  several  districts,  covering  every  Chap- 
ter in  the  State.  The  reduced  size  of  the  districts  and  increased 
number  of  Deputies  have  resulted  in  better  service  being  given,  as 
anticipated.  Several  of  the  districts  have  adopted  the  plan  of 
annual  exemplifications,  working  two  or  three  degrees  only,  and 
report  themselves  as  well  pleased  with  the  change.  The  Grand 
Lecturers  are  strongly  in  favor  of  the  new  arrangements,  and 
report  that  the  exemplifications  have  been  unusually  satisfactory. 

The  reports  of  the  Deputies,  as  rendered  to  me,  are  most  inter- 
esting, covering  the  whole  State  in  one  comprehensive  view. 

From  these  reports  it  is  very  clear  that  many  Chapters  are 
establishing  permanent  funds;  that  nearly  all  now  display  the 
American  flag  at  every  meeting ;  that  only  a  small  number  as  yet 
use  the  lectures,  but  that  the  number  is  increasing,  as  they  evi- 
dently add  materially  to  the  interest  of  the  meetings  ;  that  many 
of  the  Chapters  have  no  duplicate  Charters ;  that  most  of  the 
Chapters  keep  their  records  and  valuables  in  fire-proof  safes  ;  that 
all  Chapters  except  three  only  have  recorded  all  "  Marks  "  promptly 
before  exaltation  of  candidates  ;  that  the  benefits  of  annual  two- 
degree  exemplifications  are  evident  and  many,  and  that  the  inter- 
est and  attendance  have  decidedly  increased;  that  the  Grand 
Lecturers  have  been  called  to  more  Chapters  than  usual ;  that  in 
a  few  Chapters  Past  High  Priests  fill  working  positions,  to  the 
detriment  of  the  Chapter,  by  depriving  the  regular  officers  of  ex- 
perience in  those  positions;  that  the  Deputies  have  in  nearly 
all  cases  been  accompanied  on  their  visitations  by  considerable 
suites ;  that  every  High  Priest  in  the  Commonwealth  has  been 

22 


notified  that  all  levity  and  roughness  in  degree  work  must  be  en- 
tirely eliminated  and  corresponding  assurances  received  ;  that  the 
Deputies*  travelling  expenses  have  been  reduced;  that  at  least 
twelve  out  of  the  fifteen  Deputies  have  shown  their  fitness  for 
their  highly  honorable  offices  by  installing  the  officers  of  Chapters 
in  their  districts ;  that  the  attendance  of  Councils  at  Grand 
Chapter  convocations  has  decidedly  increased ;  that  not  a  single 
Chapter  has  become  liable  to  a  penalty  for  non-attendance  for  two 
years ;  that  few  Chapters  have  suitable  bookcases  or  properly 
preserve  the  valuable  reports  issued  by  the  Grand  Chapter ;  that 
practically  every  Book  of  Marks  in  the  Commonwealth  is  care- 
fully kept,  and  most  of  them  are  exceedingly  well  executed,  there 
being  an  evident  tendency  of  late  to  use  simple  designs ;  that  a 
few  Chapters  insert  beautifully  engrossed  memorials  of  deceased 
members  in  their  records,  and  generally  all  the  Deputies  unite  in 
stating  that  they  find  increased  interest,  better  work,  and  greater 
enthusiasm  throughout  all  the  Chapters  in  the  Commonwealth  — 
a  fact  that  gives  large  encouragement  for  renewed  and  constant 
effort  in  the  future. 

R.*.  E.*.  Charles  H.  Preston,  the  Deputy  of  the  2d  District, 
forwards  the  following  account  of  the  ancient  Charter  of  Wash- 
ington Royal  Arch  Chapter,  of  Salem,  which  celebrated  its  100th 
Anniversary  in  January  of  this  year :  — 

"  The  Charter  of  Washington  Chapter  has  an  interesting  history.  The 
original  Charter  bears  the  date  of  1811.  According  to  record,  under  date 
of  March  17,  1835,  it  was  '  Voted  that  the  trunk  containing  the  Records, 
Seal  and  Papers  of  this  Chapter,  together  with  the  Charter,  be  committed 
to  the  care  of  the  High  Priest,  and  by  him  to  be  deposited  in  the  vault  of 
some  Bank  for  safe  keeping.' 

"  In  1852,  when  meetings  of  the  Chapter  were  resumed,  the  Charter 
could  not  be  found,  and  the  Grand  Chapter  was  asked  to  grant  them  a 
duplicate,  and  this  was  done,  a  new  Charter,  dated  Sept.  7,  1852,  but 
taking  precedence  from  the  date  of  the  original  Charter,  being  issued  to 
them.  Nov.  18,  1853,  the  old  Charter  was  found  among  the  effects  of 
Joseph  G.  Sprague,  who  was  High  Priest  of  the  Chapter  at  the  time  the 
meetings  were  suspended  in  1835. 

"  The  following  memorandum  is  recorded  :  '  Upon  the  death  of  P.  •. 
H.'.  P.-.  Joseph  G.  Sprague,  his  property  was  sold  at  auction  by  Shepard 
and  Archer,  auctioneers  ;  among  the  effects  was  a  barrel  of  maps  and 
other  papers,  apparently  of  little  value,  which  was  left  at  the  close  of  the 

23 


sale.  Some  months  afterward,  Mr.  Shepard,  returning  from  a  military 
muster  on  Salem  Neck,  met  the  writer  of  this  (Samuel  B.  Buttrick),  and 
he,  knowing  by  common  report  that  he  was  a  Mason,  hailed  him  and 
informed  him  that  he  had  found  in  a  barrel  a  roll  of  paper  which  he 
imagined  to  be  of  importance  to  somebody,  perhaps  a  Mason.  I  told 
him  I  was  the  person  who  should  have  the  custody  of  the  Charter  of 
Washington  Chapter  (long  lost,  now  found),  and  related  to  him  its  his- 
tory, and  he  in  a  day  or  two  returned  it  to  me  in  as  good  condition  as 
before.' 

"  The  Charters  are  both  in  good  condition.  A  Charter  which  had  such 
a  narrow  escape  from  destruction  is  a  priceless  relic." 

The  result  of  my  two  years'  service  as  Grand  High  Priest  is  to 
show  me  very  clearly  upon  what  firm  foundation  our  ancient  insti- 
tution stands.  Here  in  Massachusetts,  with  81  Chapters,  compris- 
ing 22,629  members,  Capitular  Masonry  occupies  its  own  place, 
high  and  honored.  The  Chapter  is  no  longer  deemed  merely  a 
necessary  "  stepping-stone  "  to  higher  degrees,  it  is  valued  for  its 
own  sake.  The  services  shown  in  the  Roll  of  Honor  in  this  re- 
port speak  more  eloquently  than  any  words  of  the  love,  affection, 
loyalty  and  devoted  attachment  of  these  men  for  the  Chapter ; 
they  contain  unmistakable  tribute  that  is  most  beautiful  and  most 
impressive.  The  Chapter,  in  its  clearness,  simplicity,  magnificence 
of  ceremonial  and  insistent  teachings  of  right  living,  appeals  with 
compelling  power  to  the  souls  and  hearts  of  men.  Even  as  a 
century  ago  our  fathers  listened  and  obeyed,  foreseeing  the  won- 
drous vision  of  the  future,  so  we,  the  children  of  to-day,  realize  as 
we,  in  turn,  listen  to  the  never-old  story,  that  the  glory  of  the 
structure  of  to-day  but  presages  the  illumining  radiance  of  its 
crowning  triumph  in  the  centuries  that  are  not  yet  unrolled  by  the 
hand  of  God. 


24 


Address  at  One-hundredth  Anniversary  of  Consti- 
tution of  Washington  Royal  Arch  Chapter, 
Salem,  Mass.,  January  9,  1911 

Most  Excellent  High  Priest  Goodwin^  Ladies,  and  Companions  of 
Washington  Royal  Arch  Chapter :  — 

It  is  a  most  pleasing  privilege  to  join  you  on  this  Centennial 
Celebration  of  your  consecration  as  a  Royal  Arch  Chapter,  and  to 
have  this  opportunity  of  bringing  you  the  greetings,  warm,  ardent, 
and  sincere,  of  the  Grand  Royal  Arch  Chapter  of  Massachusetts. 

To  emphasize  the  importance  of  this  event,  and  to  fittingly  ex- 
press, by  visible  token  of  recognition,  this  appreciation  of  the 
Grand  Chapter,  your  Most  Excellent  High  Priest,  Excellent  Com- 
panion Charles  Goodwin,  has  been  appointed  one  of  the  Grand 
officers,  as  Grand  Principal  Sojourner  for  the  year  1911. 

Of  all  the  seventy  and  nine  Royal  Arch  Chapters  that  to-day, 
as  jewels  of  rare  and  radiant  beauty,  adorn  the  crown  of  Massachu- 
setts Capitular  Masonry,  two  only  have  preceded  you  in  celebrat- 
ing centennial  anniversaries :  St.  Andrew's  Royal  Arch  Chapter  of 
Boston,  the  oldest  in  America,  in  1869,  and  King  Cyrus'  Royal 
Arch  Chapter  of  Newburyport,  in  1890. 

Now  that,  as  a  Chapter,  you  have  laboriously  climbed  one  round 
of  the  golden  cycle  of  Time,  one  infinitesimal  fraction  of  that 
eternity,  that,  in  glorious  destiny,  awaits  both  our  great  young 
Republic  of  Freemen,  and  our  ancient  institution  of  Freemasonry  ; 
now  that  you  may  enter  in  your  Golden  Book  of  Days  the 
completed  record  of  a  full  century  of  years,  you  may  well  pause 
for  a  moment,  in  retrospect,  in  solemn  review  of  the  meaning,  the 
results,  the  promises  and  achievements  of  that  period. 

When  R.-.  E.*.  Henry  Fowle  as  Deputy  Grand  High  Priest  of 
the  Grand  Royal  Arch  Chapter  of  Massachusetts,  on  January  15, 
1811,  consecrated  to  Zerubbabel  Washington  Royal  Arch  Chapter 
here  in  Salem,  using  for  the  first  time  that  solemn  and  impressive 
service  of  Constitution  we  use  to-day  unchanged,  that  we  have 
used  twice  within  a  year,  could  his  prophetic  fancy  by  any  possi- 
bility have  anticipated  the  triumph,  the  fulfilment  of  promise  that 
is  so  evident  here  to-day  ? 

25 


The  Chapter  in  Massachusetts  has  kept  equal  step  with  the 
State  in  growth,  in  advancement,  halting  at  times,  moving  rapidly 
forward  on  occasion,  but  always  maintaining  its  high  standard  of 
faith.  To-day  we  see  the  rich  fruition  of  the  unselfish  labors  of 
these  many  decades,  with  more  than  twenty-two  thousand  Royal 
Arch  Masons  in  Massachusetts  enrolled  under  our  Scarlet  Banner 
of  hope  and  enthusiasm.  As  our  grand  old  Commonwealth  has 
ever  led  the  forces  striving  for  freedom  of  faith  and  liberty  of  the 
individual,  so  Massachusetts  Masonry  for  more  than  a  hundred 
and  fifty  years  has  kept  her  banners  flying  far  in  advance,  sum- 
moning the  bravest,  the  strongest,  the  most  unselfish  and  devoted 
to  follow  even  to  the  heights.  You  of  Washington  Royal  Arch 
Chapter  have  a  right  to  be  proud  of  your  heritage ;  you  have  well 
earned  the  privilege  of  standing  by  our  outer  gates,  to  tell  us,  of 
a  later  day,  what  Capitular  Masonry  has  stood  for  here  in  Massa 
chusetts  for  a  hundred  years  past,  what  it  means  to-day,  what  is 
its  promise  to  the  countless  generations  yet  to  follow. 

Is  it  not  the  lesson  of  the  ages  gone,  the  one  great  lesson  that 
is  so  impressed  upon  our  minds  and  consciences  that  it  must  endure 
through  aeons  upon  aeons  of  time  still  to  come,  is  it  not  carved 
upon  the  mystic  white  keystone  in  flaming  letters  of  fire,  that  in 
Masonry  the  one  essential  attribute  is  character;  that  if  our 
Masonic  influences,  our  sublime  and  splendid  teachings,  our  mag- 
nificent ceremonials,  fail  to  perfect  the  rough  ashlars  of  our  char- 
acters into  the  polished  beauty  of  resemblance  to  Divine  perfec- 
tion, then  we  have  failed  in  our  purpose,  our  great  Temples  may 
well  be  given  to  desolation,  their  arches  crumble  into  ruins,  their 
lofty  pillars  of  wisdom,  strength  and  beauty,  sculptured  and  carved 
with  the  heroic  records  of  unselfish  deeds  of  fraternity  of  a 
thousand  years,  be  shattered  and  overthrown,  to  lie  buried  and 
forgotten  under  the  sands  of  time. 

You  of  Washington  Royal  Arch  Chapter,  bearing  an  honored 
name  that  recalls  to  us  of  to-day,  almost  as  vividly  as  to  your 
founders,  the  heroic  struggles  and  costly  sacrifices  of  our  country's 
long  contest  for  freedom  ;  you  who,  generation  by  generation, 
have  seen  the  golden  sun  of  promise  rising  higher  and  higher 
above  the  mountains  of  Hope,  sending  its  resplendent  rays  with  in- 
creasing brightness  upon  the  spires  and  minarets  of  our  Temple  of 

26 


Freemasonry ;  you  who  have  kept  the  faith  of  the  fathers  un- 
sullied and  untarnished,  you  know  well  the  perennial  charm,  the 
hidden  inherent  beauties,  —  the  increasing  glories  of  attraction  of 
our  ancient  and  beloved  Rite. 

This  Chapter,  venerable,  revered,  honorable  and  most  honored, 
this  crowning  monument  of  the  years,  this  glorious  living  symbol 
of  our  common  faith  in  man,  this  most  potent  expression  of  our 
world-wide  belief  in  the  brotherhood  of  man  and  the  fatherhood  of 
God,  this  ancient  Chapter  of  yours  may  well  rejoice  to-day  upon 
this  rich  fulfilment  of  its  initial  purpose,  this  present  answer  ta 
the  devout  and  soul-appealing  prayer  of  consecration  of  a  century 
ago.  For,  before  your  holy  altar,  true  men  have  pledged  them- 
selves to  fraternity ;  have  dedicated  their  lives  to  charity  ;  have, 
with  humble  and  contrite  hearts,  vowed  unquestioning  obedience 
to  the  laws  of  God  and  devout  reverence  for  His  Great  and  Holy 
Name. 

You  may  vainly  attempt  to  inscribe  in  your  records  the  count- 
less deeds  of  charity,  fraternity  and  self-sacrifice  that  we  know 
well  belong  in  your  Chapter's  unwritten  history ;  you  recall,  with 
throbbing  hearts  and  tear-dimmed  eyes,  the  heroisms  and  the  re- 
nunciations of  those  who  have  long  since  passed  beyond  the  veils, 
to  the  radiance  of  immortal  glory ;  but  you  may,  at  least,  in  their 
grateful  memory,  with  renewed  courage  and  quickened  inspiration, 
well  resolve  to  keep  forever  untarnished  the  brilliant  scarlet 
purity  of  your  ancient  banner.  For  in  the  story  of  your  century 
of  life  is  written  many  a  song  of  triumph,  many  a  dirge  of  sorrow. 
If  we  read  rightly  the  epic  of  the  years  ;  if  we  take  to  our  hearts 
the  bitter  lessons  of  the  costly  errors,  the  mistakes,  the  weaknesses, 
the  wrongs,  the  manifold  train  of  human  frailties  that  inevitably 
belong  with  every  considerable  body  of  men,  may  we  not,  then, 
learn  also  lessons  of  enduring  faith,  of  infinite  charity  ;  may  we 
not  be  refreshed  for  our  life  battles,  renewed  in  our  courage ;  may 
we  not  learn  to  exercise  more  freely  that  fraternity  we  teach  be- 
fore the  Holy  Ark  of  the  Covenant,  at  the  feet  of  the  Cherubim 
of  the  Lord,  that  humility  and  love  for  our  fellow-men  we  profess 
in  the  Shadow  of  the  Royal  Arch,  in  the  inspired  remembrance  of 
the  ineffable  glory  of  "  that  name  that  no  man  knoweth." 

As  Chapter  Masons  may  we  not  say  that 

27 


*'  Every  mason  in  the  quarry ;  every  builder  on  the  shore ; 
Every  woodman  in  the  forest ;  every  boatman  at  the  bar  ; 
Hewing  wood  and  hauling  water ;  splitting  stone  and  cleaving  sod ; 
All  the  dusty  ranks  of  labor  in  the  regiment  of  God, 
March  together  toward  his  Temple, 
Do  the  tasks  His  hands  prepare. 
Honest  toil  is  holy  service ;  fa,ithful  work  is  praise  and  prayer." 

Henry    Van  Dyke. 


28 


Address  at  Twenty-fifth  Anniversary  of  Constitu- 
tion of  Royal  Arch  Chapter  of  the  Tabernacle, 
Maiden,  March  20,  1911 

Most  Excellent   High  Priest  Anderson   and    Companions  of  the 
Royal  Arch  Chapter  of  the  Tabernacle  :  — 

It  is  an  especial  privilege  to  be  present  on  this  Twenty-fifth 
Anniversary  of  your  Constitution  as  a  Chapter.  You  began  exist- 
ence with  a  Charter  list  of  one  hundred  and  fifty-nine,  the  record 
number  in  Massachusetts,  under  the  wise  guidance  of  M.*.  E.'. 
Frederick  T.  Comee,  then  Grand  High  Priest  of  the  Grand  Royal 
Arch  Chapter  of  Massachusetts.  In  his  Annual  Address  for  the 
year  1886,  on  December  7,  speaking  of  your  Constitution  the 
evening  before :  — 

"  Springing  at  once,  as  it  has,  into  the  full  strength  and  vigor 
usually  attained  only  by  long  years  of  patient  labor  and  love,  we 
are  certainly  justified  in  expecting  from  it  more  than  ordinary 
usefulness." 

I  come  to-night  bearing  the  hearty  greetings  of  the  Grand  Chap 
ter,  to  say  in  its  behalf  with  emphasis  that  it  has  not  been  disap- 
pointed with  the  twenty-five  years  of  your  Chapter's  work ;  that 
you  have  abundantly  justified  the  confidence  reposed  in  you;  that 
the  results  attained  presage  a  larger  and  an  enduring  prosperity 
through  the  countless  centuries  that  lie  in  the  future. 

Early  in  February  I  enjoyed  the  privilege  of  visiting  the  Grand 
Royal  Arch  Chapter  of  New  York,  in  Annual  Session  at  Albany. 
I  noted  with  interest  the  many  differences  between  their  work 
and  ours  —  differences,  however,  only  in  detail,  in  wordings,  in 
signs  —  but  there  was  a  great  and  substantial  unanimity  in  the 
sublime  teachings  of  the  great  foundation  Masonic  principles.  I 
noted  with  especial  interest  that  Grand  Lecturer  McGowan  was 
installed  for  the  twenty-seventh  consecutive  term,  two  years  of 
service  having  been  given  before  you,  as  a  Chapter,  began  exist- 
ence. Grand  Secretary  Christopher  G.  Fox,  who  is  also  General 
Grand  Secretary  of  the  General  Grand  Royal  Arch  Chapter  of 
the  United  States,  was  installed  for  the  forty-fifth  year.  This  is 
a  fitting  occasion  to  recall  that  here   in  Massachusetts  we  who 

29 


know  and  love  the  Chapter  find  also  on  every  side  many  evidences 
of  devotion  to  the  rare  and  radiant  beauties,  to  the  charms,  the 
crystal  clearness,  the  transparent  brilliancy,  the  abiding  simplicity 
of  its  lessons  of  faith,  of  its  impressive  and  sublime  teachings  of 
the  immortal  truths  of  God ;  for  all  over  Massachusetts  I  have 
found,  in  my  various  travels,  many  officers  who  have  served  their 
Chapters  for  more  than  a  generation  in  continuous  labor  in  one 
office. 

Therefore  it  has  seemed  well  to  form  a  Roll  of  Honor,  whereon 
to  inscribe  in  love  and  gratitude  the  names  of  those  who  have 
given  such  service  for  a  term  exceeding  twenty  years. 

Companion  Junius  B.  Temple  has  served  Composite  Royal 
Arch  Chapter  of  North  Adams  as  Secretary  for  more  thau  twenty- 
eight  years  ;  Companion  George  F.  Pratt  was  recently  installed 
as  Treasurer  of  St.  Mark's  Royal  Arch  Chapter  at  Taunton  for 
the  thirtieth  year ;  in  Mt.  Lebanon  Royal  Arch  Chapter  of  Mil- 
ford  R.*.  E.*.  George  E.  Stacey,  after  serving  his  Chapter  in  vari- 
ous positions,  including  that  of  High  Priest,  then  serving  the 
Grand  Chapter  several  years,  becoming  Deputy  Grand  High  Priest 
in  1874,  became  Captain  of  the  Host  and  is  now  acting  in  that 
capacity  after  thirty-five  years  of  continuous  service ;  where,  mid 
the  fire-swept  ruins  of  Chelsea  a  new  temple  of  our  faith  has 
arisen,  Companion  Charles  S.  Beatley  is  serving  his  forty-first 
year  as  Secretary  of  the  Royal  Arch  Chapter  of  the  Shekinah ;  I 
recently  installed  Companion  Charles  H.  Parks  as  Tyler  of 
Waltham  Royal  Arch  Chapter,  of  Waltham,  for  the  forty-first 
time;  in  Corinthian  Royal  Arch  Chapter,  of  Adams,  Companion 
David  D.  Bow  en  was  appointed  Principal  Sojourner  at  the  insti- 
tution of  the  Chapter  in  1865,  and  has  held  that  position  for  all 
the  forty-six  years  since,  while  in  the  heart  of  Boston,  in  our  great 
White  Temple,  in  St.  Paul's  Royal  Arch  Chapter,  the  largest  and 
richest  Chapter  in  the  Commonwealth,  that  Nestor  of  Massachu- 
setts Masons,  Companion  Theodore  H.  Emmons  is  now  in  his 
fifty-first  year  as  Secretary. 

What  inspiration  there  is  in  such  records  as  these!  What 
glory  of  service,  what  proof  of  devotion  to  Masonry  lie  in  these 
long  labors  of  the  years  !  What  more  forceful,  what  more  beau- 
tiful tribute  could  any  man  give  to  Capitular  Masonry  ? 

30 


In  ancient  Arabic  writings  we  may  read 

*'  In  the  nine  heavens  are  eight  paradises. 

Where  is  the  ninth  one?     In  the  human  heart. 
Rather,  0  man,  lack  those  eight  paradises 
Than  be  without  the  ninth  one  in  thy  heart." 

As  Chapter  Masons  we  should  not  be  content  merely  to  wear 
the  lapel  button,  bearing  those  ancient  beautiful  mystic  emblems 
of  the  Circle,  Triangle  and  Triple  Tau,  the  oldest  symbols  on 
earth,  derived  from  dead  religions  revered  in  forgotten  empires  of 
thousands  of  years  ago  ;  we  must  let  the  flaming  brilliancy  of  its 
scarlet  warm  our  hearts  to  infinite  tenderness,  to  the  constant,  in- 
creasing practice  of  that  charity  and  fraternity  we  are  taught  here 
before  our  holy  altars  of  Masonry ;  we  must  interpret  through  our 
lives,  in  knightly  courtesy  and  gentleness  of  spirit,  the  sublime 
principles  these  symbols  represent;  we  must  carry  into  our  homes 
and  lives,  and  so  cherish,  honor  and  follow,  the  great  underlying 
Masonic  principles  of  obedience  to  the  laws  of  God,  and  reverence 
for  His  Great  and  Holy  Name,  that  we  shall  perfect  the  rough 
surfaces  of  the  Ashlars  of  our  characters  into  the  polished  beauty 
of  resemblance  to  Divine  Perfection. 

Are  we  not  taught  as  Chapter  Masons  that 

"  A  sunbeam  shot  across  a  cloudy  day 

Can  brighten  all  the  drear  expanse  of  sky ; 
A  loving  smile  can  make  a  weary  way 
A  path  to  paradise." 

As  with  humble  and  contrite  hearts  we  travel  the  rough  and 
rugged  roads  that  lead  under  the  Royal  Arch  of  Truth  to  the  "  peace 
that  passeth  understanding  "  in  the  ineffable  glory  of  "  that  name 
that  no  man  knoweth  ;  "  as  we  learn  the  lessons  of  charity,  modera- 
tion, industry,  humility,  purity  of  soul,  and  reverence  for  the  Holy 
Name  of  God,  are  we  not  compelled  to  acknowledge  in  our  soul's 
inmost  recesses  that  the  Chapter  Degrees  reach  heights  of  beauty, 
dignity,  and  heart  appeal  that  touch  the  very  clouds  of  inspiration  ? 

Therefore  it  is  that  there  is  no  place  in  the  Chapter  for  any 
levity,  roughness  or  coarseness  ;  therefore  it  is  that  the  Grand 
Chapter,  in  that  wisdom  that  sees  into  the  future,  has  decreed  that 
the  work  must  be  continuous,  and  that  only  the  officers  shall  take 
part  in  the  ceremonies. 

31 


Just  as 

"  He  who  suffers  knows  a  world 
Beyond  his  fellows'  ken ; 
As  one  from  some  dark  cave  of  earth 
Sees  stars  unseen  by  men," 

So  we,  who  kneel  m  adoration  at  the  feet  of  the  Chei  ubim  of 
the  Lord,  see  with  clearer  vision  the  narrow  path  of  life,  the  way 
of  truth,  of  duty,  of  faith  divine.  Do  we  not  feel  in  our  hearts 
with  greater  clearness  the  true  meaning  of  charity  as  we  hear  the 
beautiful  exposition  of  the  lesson  of  the  "Mark?"  Are  we  not 
inspired  to  greater  devotion  to  God  as  the  solemn  glories  of  the 
Most  Excellent  pass  before  our  eyes,  in  all  the  rich  splendor  and 
magnificence  of  its  ceremonial  ?  Are  we  not  impressed  in  our 
souls  to  life-long  acceptance  of  the  truth  bv  that  most  powerful 
sermon  against  profanity  to  which  man  ever  listened,  in  the 
sublime  Royal  Arch  Degree  ? 

Recently,  it  is  said,  some  three  hundred  men  at  a  meeting  in  a 
Western  city  agreed  together  to  give  up  the  use  of  profane 
language.  You  and  I  know  they  were  Masons,  as  was  indeed  the 
case ;  you  and  I  believe  further  that  they  were  Chapter  Masons, 
taught  witli  all  the  power,  and  dignity,  and  impressiveness  of  the 
Chapter  to  reverence  God's  Sacred  Name. 

AS  in  Masonry  the  essential  attribute  is  character;  as  it  is  the 
influence  that  Masonry  exerts  upon  the  lives  of  those  who  follow 
her  brilliant  banners  that  determines  the  permanent  value  of  our 
ancient  institution,  so,  if  we  shall  leave  at  the  threshold  of  our 
Chapter  hall  the  influences  for  right  living  that  are  so  powerfully 
invoked  in  all  our  ceremonies ;  if  we  shall  fail  to  carry  into  our 
homes  and  lives  these  sublime  truths  of  God  ;  if  we  shall  fail  to 
emulate,  in  the  purity  of  our  lives,  the  virgin  whiteness  of  that 
keystone  we  display  so  conspicuously  in  public;  if  we  shall  forget 
that  the  teachings  of  our  ancient  institution  are  Divine,  and  that 
the  Holy  Bible  is  the  guide  of  our  life's  conduct ;  then,  indeed, 
shall  we  have  failed  in  our  purpose  ;  then  shall  we  have  failed  to 
reach  the  heart  and  glory  of  our  ancient  Craft ;  then,  for  us,  its 
great  temples  may  well  be  given  over  to  desolation,  its  arches  be 
permitted  to  crumble  into  dust ;  its  lofty  pillars  of  wisdom,  strength, 
and   beauty,    sculptured    and    carved    with  the  heroic  records  of 

32 


unselfish  deeds  of  fraternity  of  a  thousand  years,  be  shattered  and 
overthrown,  to  lie  buried  and  forgotten  beneath  the  sands  of  Time. 
But  if  we  shall  keep,  with  knightly  faith,  our  vows  of  service  to 
mankind,  of  charity  to  the  helpless  widow  and  orphan,  of  frater- 
nity to  our  Brethren,  of  loyalty  to  God,  the  Father  Omniscient, 
Omnipotent  and  Omnipresent,  then  may  we  as  Royal  Arch  Masons 
feel  assured  that  our  soul's  barque  shall  sail  safely  beyond  the  veil 
of  the  last  great  mystery  to  the  gardens  of  immortality. 

"  Beyond  the  sunset's  crimson  bars  ; 
Beyond  the  twilight  and  the  stars  ; 
Beyond  the  midnight  and  the  dark, 
Sail  on,  sail  on,  O  happy  barque ! 
Into  the  dawn  of  that  tomorrow 
Where  hearts  shall  find  an  end  of  sorrow 
And  Love  shall  find  its  own." 


At  Constitution  of  Cambridge  Council  Royal  and 
Select  Masters 


Response  by  Most  Excellent  Charles  Dana  Burrage, 
Grand  High  Priest,  on  Reception 

Most  Illustrious   Grand  Master  Benton  :  — 

I  thank  you  from  the  bottom  of  my  heart  for  the  warmth  of 
your  most  gracious  and  courteous  Masonic  greeting. 

To  be  present  to  bring  you  the  warm  greetings  of  the  Most 
Excellent  Grand  Royal  Arch  Chapter  of  Massachusetts  at  the 
launching  of  this  stout  ship  of  Masonic  endeavor,  fated,  we  believe, 
to  carry  its  precious  cargo  safely  through  the  trials  and  storms  of 
the  centuries  that  lie  beyond  the  veil  of  the  future ;  to  join  with 
you  in  this  consecration  of  a  new  Council,  this  solemn  dedication 
to  fraternity,  in  the  name  of  the  Most  High,  of  this  eager  and 
ambitious  body  of  devoted  Masons ;  to  stand  here  under  such 
gracious  circumstances  in  your  presence.  Most  Illustrious  Grand 
Master  Benton,  who  have  proved  yourself  so  faithful,  capable  and 
efficient,  my  beloved  friend,  kinsman  and  colleague,  these  are  indeed 
most  high  and  grateful  privileges,  greatly  appreciated  and  long  to 
be  remembered. 

33 


Response  by  Most  Excellent  Charles  Dana  Burrage, 
Grand  High  Priest,  at  Banquet 

Thrice  Illustrious  Master  Peak^  Most  Illustrious  Grand  Master 
Benton  and  Companions  of  Cambridge  Council  of  Royal  and 
Select  Masters:  — 

Upon  such  an  occasion  as  this  we  may  well  bear  in  mind  that 

"  We  are  but  instruments, 
The  strings  attuned  and  tense, 
Whereon  the  hand  of  Time 
Strikes  some  few  notes  sublime." 

Charles  G.  Blag  den, 

on  the  mighty  monuments  of  Egypt  (so  eloquently  referred  to 
by  Grand  Chaplain  Bush),  overthrown,  broken  and  partly  buried 
under  the  sands  of  the  desert,  we  may  read  in  hieroglyphic 
language  the  stories  of  her  religious  mysteries,  tracing  the  slow 
passage  of  the  neophyte,  step  by  step,  as  he  climbs  the  heights  of 
knowledge.  Everywhere  we  find  one  symbol  more  insistently 
conspicuous  than  any  other,  the  symbol  of  Secrecy,  of  profoundest 
obligation,  of  that  darkness  that  means  silence, —  the  Mason's 
trowel.  One  of  the  oldest  symbols,  the  trowel  has  extensive, 
almost  universal,  application  in  the  form  of  the  triangle.  It  repre- 
sented the  greatest  and  most  abstruse  mysteries,  signifying  equally 
Deity,  Creation  and  Fire.  The  water  triangle,  or  triangle  in- 
verted, resting  on  one  of  its  points,  signified  the  kind,  good  and 
merciful  God.  The  fire  triangle,  resting  on  its  base,  signified  the 
just  and  angry  God.  The  double  triangle,  made  by  placing  the 
water  triangle  upon  the  fire  triangle  interlaced,  giving  six  points, 
forms  the  seal  of  Solomon,  the  symbol  of  the  perfect  God-head  in 
all  His  attributes  and  works,  and  is  the  jewel  of  both  the  Chapter 
and  the  Council ;  while  the  triple  triangle,  or  three  triangles 
superimposed  at  angles  and  interlaced,  was  formerly  a  mystical 
symbol  of  health,  and  therefore  of  prosperity,  and  forms  the 
beautiful  star  of  nine  points  of  the  Grand  Royal  Arch  Chapter. 

The  Egyptians  called  the  triangle  the  sacred  number,  or  number 
of  perfection,  and  their  most  sacred  obligations  were  administered 

34 


upon  it,  for  it  ever  had  reference  to  the  Deity  or  some  Divine 
attribute.     We  may  well  say 

"  There  are  heights  and  depths  eternal  human  minds  have  never 
treasured ; 
There  are  lengths  and   breadths   supernal  only   God  has  ever 
measured." 

»S'.  A.  Gordon. 

it  is  especially  appropriate,  therefore,  that  the  distinguishing 
attributes  of  the  Cryptic  Rite  should  be  secrecy  and  impressive- 
ness ;  for  the  silence  of  the  Crypt  brings  the  hearts  of  men  very 
closely  together.  By  that  warmth  of  intimate  companionship  that 
is  so  universally  found  in  the  Council,  by  that  fraternity  that  so 
often  grows  into  undying  friendship,  are  produced  rare  and  radiant 
flowers  of  unselfish  service  that  exalt  the  soul  and  lighten  the  path 
of  life  by  their  beauties. 

For  in  Masonry  do  we  not  learn 

"  If  but  one  friend  have  crossed  thy  way 
Once  only  in  thy  mortal  day  ; 
If  only  once  life's  best  surprise 
Has  opened  on  thy  human  eyes ; 
Ingrate  thou  wert,  indeed,  if  thou 
Didst  not  in  that  rare  presence  bow. 
And  on  earth's  holy  ground,  unshod, 
Speak  softlier  the  dear  name  of  God." 

Lucy  Larcom. 

because  they  alone  who  voluntarily  turn  aside  from  the  broad 
highway  of  Masonic  advancement  to  seek  knowledge  for  the  sake 
of  knowledge  ever  find  the  narrow  entrance  leading  to  the  Crypt, 
and  through  devious  passages  reach  the  gardens  of  delight  that 
bloom  in  immortal  beauty  far  beyond  that  sombre  portal ;  because 
they  alone  realize  the  irresistible  attractive  power,  the  compelling 
charm  and  soul  appeal  of  your  beautiful  Rite,  these  reasons  alone 
delay  the  coming  of  that  certain  day  of  ultimate  acceptance,  of 
eager  advocacy,  on  the  part  of  the  crowding  throngs  of  pilgrims 
ever  travelling  the  rough  and  rugged  roads  that  lead  under  the 
Royal  Arch  to  the  Holy  City  of  Peace. 

Are  we  not  taught  in  the  Cryptic  Rite  the  highest  lessons  of 
our  Masonic  faith  of  that  charity  that  is  divine,  of  that  reverence 

35 


for  God  that  brings  us  to  our  knees  at  the  feet  of  the  Cherubim? 
As  Cryptic  Masons  may  we  not  say 

*'  If  we  sit  down  at  set  of  sun 
And  count  the  things  that  we  have  done 

And,  counting,  find 
One  self-denying  act,  one  word 
That  eased  the  heart  of  him  who  heard, 

One  glance  most  kind, 
That  fell  like  sunshine  where  it  went, 
Then  we  may  count  that  day  well  spent." 

the  Cryptic  Rite  appeals  to  the  hearts  and  souls  of  men  with 
tremendous  power,  by  its  symbolism  that  represents  some  of  the 
richest  expressions  of  ancient  religious  thought  and  principles, 
mofet  beautiful  in  their  modern  application  ;  by  its  degree  work 
that  is  so  sublimely  impressive  and  heart-enthralling;  by  its 
profound  teachings  of  the  word  of  God,  and  of  the  littleness  and 
vanity  of  human  life  ;  by  ihQ  fulfilment  of  its  mission  as  the  key- 
stone of  the  great  Arch  of  Ancient  Craft  Masonry,  completing 
the  magnificent  story  begun  and  unfinished  in  the  lodge  ;  by  its 
proud  banner  of  royal  purple,  representing  in  rich  and  splendid 
color  the  union  of  the  heavenly  blue  of  the  lodge  and  the  flaming 
scarlet  of  the  Chapter.  You  of  Cambridge,  therefore,  may  well 
rejoice  in  your  present  opportunity  to  enlist  as  workmen  in  the 
quarries  of  this  glorious  new  Temple  of  your  faith ;  you  may  well 
resolve  never  by  act  of  yours  to  lessen  the  glory  of  that  ancient 
banner;  never  to  tarnish  the  lustre  of  your  beautiful  symbols, 
that  in  their  brightness  reflect  the  glory  of  God  ;  never  to  mar  the 
virgin  whiteness  of  the  ashlars  of  character  with  which  you  will 
build  the  walls  of  the  great  Structure  of  Freemasonry. 
For 

"  In  the  elder  days  of  art 

Builders  wrought  with  greatest  care 
Each  minute  and  unseen  part ; 

For  the  Gods  see  everywhere. 
Let  us  do  our  work  as  well, 

Both  the  unseen  and  the  seen  ; 
Make  the  house  where  Gods  may  dwell 
Beautiful,  entire,  and  clean." 

Longfellow. 

36 


ANNUAL  ADDRESS 

BY 

CHARLES  DANA  BURRAGE 

Grand  High  Priest  of  the  Grand  Royal  Arch  Chapter 
of  Massachusetts,  191 2. 


Companions  of  the  Grand  Royal  Arch  Chapter  of  Masssachusetts : 

The  sands  of  my  official  life  are  running  fast,  and  after  three 
swift-passing  and  most  delightful  years  of  service,  in  a  few 
minutes,  with  mingled  regret  and  relief,  I  shall  surrender  my 
authority  to  my  successor. 

I  am  unfeignedly  glad  to  have  had  this  opportunity  for  service 
in  this  Grand  Chapter,  under  such  pleasant  conditions,  and  with 
such  unfaltering  loyalty  of  support  from  you ;  and  as  I  review 
the  record  of  the  years  my  heart  thrills  with  the  promise  and  the 
glory  of  the  future  of  our  beloved  Rite. 

For,  as  at  twilight  on  an  autumn  day,  recently,  from  the  wide, 
hospitable  verandah  surrounding  the  Masonic  Home,  high  on  the 
hill  at  Charlton,  I  looked  over  the  hills,  woods  and  valleys  of  a 
large  part  of  Central  Massachusetts ;  as  I  turned  my  eager  gaze 
from  Wachusett  Mountain,  mistily  dim  against  the  northern  sky, 
thirty-five  miles  away,  to  the  distant  Berkshire  heights  under  the 
golden  sunset ;  as  my  eyes  swept  the  horizon  from  the  low  Con- 
necticut hills  just  beyond  the  State  line  to  the  "  Blue  Hills  "  of 
Milton,  rising  in  shadow  by  the  Atlantic  shore ;  as  I  passed  in 
review  the  various  and  diverse  chapters  that  make  our  complex 
whole,  I  realized  anew  the  strength,  unity,  and  time-defying  insist- 
ence of  high  purpose  that  are  so  evident  in  Capitular  Masonry  in 
Massachusetts.  Among  all  her  eighty-two  Chapters,  scattered 
as  jewels  in  her  diadem  over  this  Commonwealth,  there  is  not 
one  that  is  weak,  not  one  that  is  not  filled  with  zeal  and  loyalty, 

1 


not  one  whose  officers  fail  to  exhibit  pride  and  enthusiasm  in  their 
work  ;  all  are  vigorous,  thriving,  prosperous,  excelling  in  accuracy 
of  detail  in  degree  work ;  facing  the  centuries  of  the  future  with 
hope,  courage  and  confidence. 

One  year  ago  the  Chapters  of  Massachusetts  had  22,629  mem- 
bers; this  year  there  are  23,487,  a  net  gain  of  858. 

But,  during  the  year  the  sombre  record  of  our  loved  Compan- 
ions who  have  passed  beyond  the  veils  has  lengthened  almost 
daily,  for  301  have  laid  aside  the  burdens  of  mortality,  leaving 
as  to  mourn,  to  cherish  their  memories,  and  to  remember  always 
their  devotion  to  our  Ancient  Craft. 

A  year  ago  I  called  your  attention  to  the  death  within  a  week 
of  Rev.  A.  St.  John  Chambre,  a  Past  Deputy  Grand  High  Priest. 
Since  then  five  permanent  members  of  this  Grand  Chapter,  all 
Past  Deputy  Grand  High  Priests,  have  entered  into  the  joys  of 
immortality. 

R.-.  E.-.  Alfred  H.  Hartley,  of  Fall  River  Royal  Arch  Chapter 
of  Fall  River,  Deputy  Grand  High  Priest  in  1881,  died  Decem- 
ber 16,  1911. 

Worshipful  Master  of  his  lodge,  High  Priest  of  his  Chapter, 
Thrice  Illustrious  Master  of  his  Council,  Eminent  Commander  of 
his  Commandery,  Deputy  Grand  Master  of  the  Grand  Council, 
Deputy  Grand  High  Priest,  active  in  civic  and  business  affairs, 
he  iSlled  a  long  and  busy  life  with  success,  and  deservedly  won 
the  esteem  and  respect  of  his  Companions. 

R.*.  E.-.  James  Downs,  of  Parker  Royal  Arch  Chapter,  of 
Natick,  Deputy  Grand  High  Priest  in  1894,  died  January  2, 1912. 

Earnest,  zealous,  genial,  enthusiastic,  a  faithful  worker,  serving 
loyally  as  Worshipful  Master,  High  Priest  and  Eminent  Com- 
mander, they  who  knew  him  best  speak  in  fond  remembrance  of 
him  as  "pre-eminently  a  man  of  generous  impulses";  of  "his 
sympathy  with  all  whom  he  found  in  sorrow  or  want." 

R.-.  E.-.  Herbert  F.  Morse,  of  Mt.  Vernon  Royal  Arch  Chap- 
ter, of  Roxbury,  Deputy  Grand  High  Priest  in  1906,  died  March 
7,  1912.  Worshipful  Master,  Junior  and  Senior  Grand  Deacon, 
High  Priest,  Deputy  Grand  High  Priest,  Thrice  Illustrious  Mas- 
ter, Eminent  Commander,  Grand  Commander,  Grand  Treasurer, 


President  of  the  Roxbury  Masonic  Temple  Association,  we  who 
so  knew  and  loved  him  may  well  unite  with  one  of  his  close  asso- 
ciates in  saying  "  he  was  a  fitting  exponent  of  all  that  is  good  and 
true  and  noble  in  our  beloved  Order." 

R.*.  E.*.  James  Tent,  of  the  Royal  Arch  Chapter  of  the  Sheki- 
nah,  of  Chelsea,  Deputy  Grand  High  Priest  in  1876,  died  June  3, 
1912.  Warm-hearted,  loyal,  accurate,  Worshipful  Master,  High 
Priest,  Deputy  Grand  High  Priest,  Thrice  Illustrious  Master, 
Eminent  Commander,  he  was  greatly  loved,  and  in  the  words  of 
his  eulogist:  ''He  was  broad,  tolerant,  sympathetic,  —  intolerant 
only  of  hypocrisy,  —  ever  stirring  his  Brethren  to  higher,  better 
work." 

R.-.  E.'.  Edward  J.  Sartelle,  of  Worcester  Royal  Arch  Chapter, 
of  Worcester,  Deputy  Grand  High  Priest  in  1904,  died  September 
15,  1912.  Of  all  the  thousands  in  our  Institution  who  love  Ma- 
sonry, there  is  no  one  who  excelled  him,  our  Companion  who  has 
so  lately  left  us,  whose  memorial  has  just  been  read  to  you  this 
evening.  As  Grand  Lecturer  for  many  years,  his  labors  of  un- 
swerving loyalty  to  lofty  ideals  have  been  wrought  enduringly 
into  the  substance  of  our  Chapters  and  made  the  Grand  Royal 
Arch  Chapter  of  Massachusetts  of  today  possible  in  its  virility 
and  proud  leadership. 

All  of  these  Companions  had  rendered  long  and  valuable  ser- 
vice to  Masonry  in  many  different  bodies,  and  all  were  near  our 
hearts,  ever  exemplifying  in  their  lives  of  stainless  honor  their 
high  ideals  of  Masonic  character. 

"  Faithful  in  life,  and  faithful  unto  death, 

Such  souls,  in  sooth,  illume  with  lustre  splendid 
That  glimpsed,  glad  land  wherein,  the  vision  saith. 
Earth's  wrongs  are  ended." 

Richard  Burton. 

LOSS    BY    FIRE 

On  January  15,  1912,  the  Masonic  building  at  East  Wey- 
mouth, owned  by  the  Fraternity,  was  destroyed  by  fire,  Pentalpha 
Royal  Arch  Chapter  losing  all  its  paraphernalia.  In  response  to 
repeated  offers  of  assistance  on  the  part  of  the  Grand  Chapter, 


they  declared  themselves  abundantly  able  to  care  for  themselves, 
being  well  insured. 

I  would  heartily  commend  their  sturdy  self-reliance  and  pride 
of  independence  as  worthy  of  the  best  traditions  of  our  Rite. 

MASONIC    HOME 

I  would  emphasize  my  belief  in  the  need  and  value  of  the 
Masonic  Home,  at  Charlton,  to  speak  in  strong  commendation  of 
the  generous  action  of  Pentucket  Royal  Arch  Chapter,  of  Haver- 
hill, in  donating  one  hundred  dollars  to  the  Grand  Chapter  Fund 
for  the  benefit  of  the  Home.  There  are  many  urgent  cases  call- 
ing for  immediate  relief  in  such  a  home,  for  which  the  present 
inadequate  funds  at  the  disposal  of  the  Grand  Lodge  cannot  pro- 
vide. The  Grand  Chapter  did  well  this  year  to  make  a  contribu- 
tion to  this  Fund  of  two  hundred  and  fifty  dollars.  I  earnestly 
recommend  an  annual  appropriation  of  the  same  amount,  to  be 
placed  in  the  Grand  Chapter  Fund  already  established. 

As  the  poet  says  :  — 

The  poor  Thou  leavest  always  to  our  care, 
And  what  we  do  for  them  we  do  for  Thee. 

Thou  lovest  them.     Then  be  our  deeds  our  prayer, 
Who  helps  My  loved  ones  doeth  most  for  Me. 

Anna  Holyoke  Howard. 

NEW    CHAPTERS 

Two  Chapters  have  been  duly  constituted  by  the  Grand  High 
Priest  in  full  and  Ancient  Form  during  the  year :  Bethsaida  Royal 
Arch  Chapter  of  Everett,  February  2 2d,  and  Rabboni  Royal  Arch 
Chapter  of  North  Attleborough,  March  7th. 

A  dispensation  was  issued  January  15th  under  the  authority  of 
a  vote  of  this  Grand  Chapter  to  37  Companions  at  Amherst  to 
form  a  new  Chapter  under  the  name  of  Amherst  Royal  Arch 
Chapter. 

All  of  these  new  Chapters  give  every  promise  of  strength  and 
enduring  ability,  and  that  they  will  attain  and  hold  high  place 
among  the  Chapters  of  Massachusetts. 

Having  personally  visited  Amherst  Royal  Arch  Chapter  U.".  D.*. 
inspected  their  rooms  and  paraphernalia  and  examined  into  their 


condition,  I  unhesitatingly  and  naost  cordially  recommend  to  this 
Grand  Chapter  to  issue  a  Charter  to  them  that  they  may  be  con- 
stituted at  the  convenience  of  the   incoming  Grand  High  Priest. 

EXEMPLIFICATIONS 

Dispensations  have  been  issued  to  the  District  Deputy  Grand 
High  Priests  of  twelve  out  of  the  fifteen  districts  to  hold  District 
Grand  Chapters  of  Instruction  as  follows :  — 

2d,    Lynn,  May  17.     R.*.  E.*.  G.  Sidney  Macfarlane. 
3d,    Fall  River,  April  15.     R.-.  E.-.  Clarence  M.  Dunbar. 
5th,  Chicopee  Falls,  April  27.     R.-.  E.-.  Edwin  L.  Davis. 
6th,  Greenfield,  April  26.     R.-.  E.-.  Harry  E.  Bicknell. 
8th,  Walden,  May  24.     R.-.  E.-.  William  Wooldridge. 
9th,  Haverhill,  Oct.  25.     R.-.  E.-.  George  E.  Collins. 
10th,  Pittsfield,  April  10.     R.-.  E.-.  James  O.  Clifford. 
11th,  Fitchburg,  Nov.  6.     R.-.  E.-.  Edward  O.  Burton. 
12th,  Nantucket,  Oct.  12.     R.-.  E.-.  Francis  H.  Perry. 
13th,  Waltham,  June  7.     R.-.  E.-.  Arthur  Twitchell. 
14th,  Norwood,  Sept.  20.     R.-.  E.-.  Walter  L.  Collins. 
15th,  Cambridge,  April  25.     R.-.  E.'.  Frank  P.  Rhoades. 
The  District  Deputy  Grand  High  Priests  in  three  districts  only, 
the  1st,  4th  and  7th,    failed   to   carry   out   my  repeated  urgent 
requests  for  annual  exemplifications  of  two  degrees.     All  of  these, 
however,  held  such  the  year  preceding. 

As  a  result  of  holding  annual  exemplifications,  working  two 
degrees  only,  there  has  been  a  marked  increase  in  attendance,  as 
also  in  accuracy  and  uniformity  of  work,  and  the  strain  upon  both 
Grand  Lecturers  and  members  has  been  greatly  lessened.  The 
change  has  met  with  the  unqualified  approval  of  both  Grand 
Lecturers. 

DISPENSATIONS 

To  establish  a  custom,  I  have  asked  the  Grand  Secretary  to 
submit  the  list  of  all  dispensations  issued  during  the  year  for  the 
Records. 

List  of  dispensations  issued  for  District  Grand  Chapters  of 
Instruction,  twelve,  as  above  stated. 


The  request  of  the  Grand  Chapter  of  Nova  Scotia  for  the 
courtesy  of  the  work  of  the  Royal  Arch  Degree  to  be  conferred  on 
Brother  John  Clyde  McDonald  was  executed  in  Bethsaida  Royal 
Arch  Chapter  April  12,  1912,  and  the  Grand  Chapter  of  Nova 
Scotia  duly  notified. 

Dec.  22,  1911  To  Reading  Chapter  for  permission  to  confer  the 
degree  of  M.*.  E.-.  Master,  Past  Master  and 
Royal  Arch  at  the  same  Convocation,  waiving  the 
requirements  requiring  otherwise. 

April  1,  1912  To  Mt.  Vernon  Chapter  for  permission  to  ballot 
on  candidates  at  a  Special  Convocation  of  the 
Chapter  to  be  held  on  April  16. 

April  12,  1912  To  Worcester  Chapter  for  permission  to  confer 
all  the  degrees  in  Capitular  Masonry  at  a  Stated 
Convocation  of  the  Chapter  on  April  12,  under 
the  direction  of  the  Grand  Lecturer. 

June  22,  1912  To  Bancroft  Chapter  for  permission  to  confer 
the  M.-.  E.-.  Master  and  Royal  Arch  Degrees  at 
the  same  Convocation,  waiving  particular  regu- 
lation that  twenty-four  hours  shall  elapse  between 
the  conferring  of  the  same  at  Special  Convoca- 
tion to  be  held  June  25. 

June  14,  1912  To  Keystone  Chapter  for  permission  to  confer 
the  degrees  of  Mark  Master,  Past  Master  and 
M.*.  E.'.  Master  on  the  same  candidates  at  a 
Convocation  to  be  held  on  June  14. 

Jan.  20,  1912  To  Pentalpha  Chapter  to  hold  a  Special  Convo- 
cation in  the  lodge  room  of  Delta  Lodge, 
Braintree,  Friday,  January  26,  their  apartments 
having  recently   been   destroyed   by   fire.     And 

Mar.  2,  1912  For  permission  to  hold  a  Stated  Convocation  in 
Odd  Fellows  Hall  at  East  Weymouth. 

Feb.  23,  1912  To  Holten  Chapter  for  permission  to  appear  in 
public  on  March  10  for  the  purpose  of  attending 
divine  worship  in  commemoration  of  its  Fortieth 
Anniversary. 

April  30, 1912  To  Dorchester  Chapter  for  permission  to  appear 
in  public  on  Sunday,  May  26,  for  the  purpose  of 
attending  divine  worship. 


Oct.  8,  1912  Royal  Arch  Chapter  of  the  Shekinah  to  appear 
as  a  body  for  the  purpose  of  attending  divine 
worship  on  October  13. 

Mar.  25,  1912  To  Cambridge  Chapter  for  permission  to  hold  a 
special  election  of  Secretary  on  April  12  to  fill 
the  vacancy  caused  by  death. 

Apr.  30,  1912  To  Mt.  Zion  Chapter  for  permission  to  hold  a 
special  election,  at  a  Stated  Conclave,  of  Treas- 
urer to  fill  the  vacancy  caused  by  death. 

Sept.  3,  1912  To  Dorchester  Chapter  for  permission  to  receive 
the  application  of  a  Brother  at  the  Regular  Con- 
vocation in  September  and  ballot  upon  the  same, 
waiving  the  statutory  time. 

Oct.  14,  1912  To  Wareham  Chapter  for  permission  to  confer 
the  degrees  of  Mark  Master  and  Past  Master 
in  the  Masonic  Hall  at  Falmouth  October  18. 


VISITATIONS 

As  a  District  Deputy  I  learned  the  value  of  formal  visits  to 
Chapters,  especially  when  accompanied  by  large  suites  of  officers. 
As  Grand  High  Priest  I  have  found  nothing  that  I  could  do  so 
stimulating  to  the  Chapters  as  a  personal  visit,  under  proper  con- 
ditions, afteV  invitation,  and  accompanied  by  other  Grand  officers. 
Therefore,  although  often  at  great  sacrifice,  I  have  accepted  invi- 
tation to  and  attended  every  Chapter  not  visited  by  me  in  the 
previous  two  years,  sending  always  (as  before)  notice  of  such 
proposed  visits  (with  invitation  to  attend)  at  least  two  weeks  in 
advance  to  every  Grand  officer,  permanent  member  of  the  Grand 
Chapter,  High  Priest,  King  and  Scribe  of  every  Chapter,  and 
also  to  some  four  hundred  or  more  Past  High  Priests  in  the  sec- 
tions to  be  visited. 

During  the  past  year  I  have  made  formal  visits  to  37  Chapters 
in  all  parts  of  the  Commonwealth,  including  11  Home  Chap- 
ters of  Grand  officers ;  presided  over  G  Grand  Chapter  Convo- 
cations  (4  regular  and  2  constitutions  of  new  Chapters) ;  and 
attended  also  as  Grand  High  Priest  officially  on  12  other  occa- 
sions, in  all  55,  speaking  at  all  except  5. 


The  complete  record  of  the  three  years  of  my  service  is  as 
follows  :  — 

Chapter  Miscel- 

Visits  Grand  Chapter  Convocations  laueous  Totals 

1910  38  6  (2  constitutions  of  new  Chapters)  14                 58 

1911  27  5  (1            *'             ''     "           "  8                40 

1912  37  6  (2            "             "     "           "  12                 55 
—  —                                                              —  Grand 

Total,  102     17  34   Total  153 

I  have  visited  4  Chapters  4  times  each  ;  4  Chapters  3  times 
each  ;  7  Chapters  twice  each ;  and  all  the  rest  of  the  82  Chapters 
in  Massachusetts  at  least  once  each. 

Of  the  different  Chapters  I  visited      33  in  1910 

17  in  1911 
32  in  1912 

Total      82 

In  making  these  visits  I  travelled  over  13,960  miles. 

The  burden  of  these  visits  was  greatly  increased  by  the  neces- 
sity for  making  on  each  occasion  two  or  even  three  formal  ad- 
dresses ;  that  is,  on  reception,  with  introduction  of  members  of 
suite;  after  close  of  work  or  entertainment  in  Chapter  hall,  and 
often  later  also  at  banquet,  once  being  called  upon  four  times. 
As  in  previous  years,  I  have  appended  hereto  some  of  the  more 
important  of  such  addresses  made  during  the  year,  viz : 

On  receiving  flag  presented  by  Past  High  Priests  of  St.  John's 
Royal  Arch  Chapter  to  the  Chapter,  East  Boston,  March  22. 

Address  on  "The  Meaning  and  Symbolism  of  Capitular  Ma- 
sonry," delivered  before  twenty  Chapters. 

Address  before  the  Grand  Holy  Royal  Arch  Chapter  of  Penn- 
sylvania, at  Philadelphia,  September  5. 

LIST    OF    VISITATIONS,    1912 

Dec.  18,  1911     Pilgrim  Royal  Arch  Chapter,  Abington. 
O.  D.  Dickerman,  High  Priest. 
50th    anniversary    Home    Chapter   of    R.*.    E.*. 
Alfred  H.  Nash,  Grand  Scribe. 


8 


Dec.  27,  1911     Grand  Lodge  of  Masons.     Feast  of  St.  John. 

M.-.  W.-.  Everett  C.  Benton,  Grand  Master. 

Jan.      5,  1912     Mt.  Zion  Royal  Arch  Chapter,  Stoughton. 
Arthur  W.  Chase,  High  Priest. 
Installation    of   officers,  assisted   by    E.*.    L.  L. 
Green,  Grand  Lecturer. 

Jan.  10,  1912  Orient  Council  Royal  and  Select  Masters,  Somer- 
ville.  Reception  by  Home  Council  to  M.*.  I.*. 
Edgar  W.  Evans,  M.-.  I.\  Grand  Master. 

Jan.  19,  1912  Boston  Commandery,  Knights  Templar,  Boston. 
Jesse  Ames,  Eminent  Commander.  Ladies' 
Night. 

Jan.    24,  1912     Woburn  Royal  Arch  Chapter,  Woburn. 
Benjamin  Lewis,  High  Priest. 
Public  Installation,  assisted  by  E.*.  L.  L.  Green, 
Grand  Lecturer.      Home  Chapter  of  E.*.  Ben- 
jamin T.  Morgan,  Grand  Master  of  First  Veil. 

Jan.  26,  1912  De  Molay  Commandery,  Knights  Templar,  Bos- 
ton. Charles  W.  Kidder,  Eminent  Commander, 
Boston.     Ladies'  Night. 

Feb.     9,  1912     Royal  Arch  Chapter  of  the  Shekinah,  Chelsea. 
Martin  J.  Pleschinger,  High  Priest. 

Feb.  14,  1912     Adoniram  Royal  Arch  Chapter,  New  Bedford. 
Merton  L.  Hathaway,  High  Priest. 

Feb.  22,  1912  Constitution  of  Bethsaida  Royal  Arch  Chapter, 
Everett. 

Charles  Bruce,  High  Priest. 

Feb.   29,  1912     North  Star  Royal  Arch  Chapter,  Winchendon. 
Robert  D.  Tees,  High  Priest. 

Mar.    6,  1912     St.  Andrew's  Royal  Arch  Chapter,  Boston. 
Frederick  C.  Graves,  High  Priest. 
Home  Chapter  of  R.*.  E.'.  Eugene  A.  Holton, 
Grand  Treasurer. 

Mar.  7,  1912  Constitution  of  Rabboni  Royal  Arch  Chapter, 
North  Attleborough. 

F.  I.  Gorton,  High  Priest. 

Mar.  10,  1912  Funeral  services  R.-.  E.-.  Herbert  F.  Morse, 
Past  Deputy  Grand  High  Priest,  Roxbury. 

9 


Mar.  11,  1912     Trinity  Royal  Arch  Chapter,  Amesbury. 
George  Maclean,  High  Priest. 
Home  Chapter  of   R.-.  E.*.  George  E.  Collins, 
District  Deputy  Grand  High  Priest. 

Mar.  14,  1912     King  Cyrus  Royal  Arch  Chapter,  Newbury  port. 
Herbert  E.  Dodge,  High  Priest. 

Mar.  19,  1912     Newton  Royal  Arch  Chapter,  Newton ville. 
Richard  W.  Vose,  High  Priest. 

Mar.  21,  1912     Harmony  Royal  Arch  Chapter,  Bridgewater. 
Walter  S.  Little,  High  Priest. 

Mar.  25,  1912     St.  John's  Royal  Arch  Chapter,  East  Boston. 
Albert  B.  Chick,  High  Priest. 
Home    Chapter   of    E.-.    Herbert    P.    Wasgatt, 
Grand  Principal  Sojourner.     Received  flag  pre- 
sented to  the  Chapter  by  Past  High  Priests. 

April   2,  1912     Tyrian  Royal  Arch  Chapter,  Millbury. 
J.  Ralph  Reeby,  High  Priest. 

April    4,  1912     Samoset  Royal  Arch  Chapter,  Plymouth. 
Edward  C.  Holmes,  High  Priest. 

April  11,  1912     King  Hiram  Royal  Arch  Chapter,  Attleborough. 
Elmer  E.  King,  High  Priest. 
Home  Chapter  of  R.*.  E.-.  Clarence  M.  Dunbar, 
District  Deputy  Grand  High  Priest  for  3d  District 

April  16,  1912     Union  Royal  Arch  Chapter,  Athol. 

Edwin  H.  Johnson,  High  Priest. 

April  17,  1912     St.  Stephen's  Royal  Arch  Chapter,  Quincy. 
William  H.  Parry,  High  Priest. 

April  25,  1912     Boston  Council  Royal  and  Select  Masters. 
T.-.  I.-.  M.-.  E.  H.  Lansing. 

May   1,    1912     Doric  Royal  Arch  Chapter,  Southbridge. 
H.  C.  Grimwade,  High  Priest. 
Home   Chapter   of   R.-.    E.*.  Arthur  C.  Moore, 
District    Deputy   Grand   High    Priest   for   4th 
District. 

May    2,    1912     Royal  Arch  Chapter  of  the  Signet,  Charlestown. 
De  Melle  C.  Garey,  High  Priest. 

May    3,    1912     Pen  tucket  Royal  Arch  Chapter,  Haverhill. 
A.  Shirley  Ladd,  High  Priest. 

10 


May    6,    1912     Hampden  Royal  Arch  Chapter,  Palmer 
Emerson  J.  Loy,  High  Priest. 

May    9,    1912     Mystic  Royal  Arch  Chapter,  Medford. 
Thomas  Jackson,  High  Priest. 
Home    Chapter   of   M.*.  E.*.  J.  Oilman  Waite, 
Grand  Secretary  and  E.-.  L.  L.   Green,  Grand 
Lecturer. 

May  10,  1912     Satucket  Royal  Arch  Ciiapter,  Brockton. 

Home  Chapter  of  R.-.  E,-.  William  H.  Emerson, 
District  Deputy  Grand  Hiojh  Priest  for  7th  Dis- 
trict and  E.*.  George  A.  Warren,  Grand  Master 
of  2d  Veil  and  High  Priest. 

May    17,  1912     Morning  Star  Royal  Arch  Chapter,  Springfield. 
Ernest  F.  Spicer,  High  Priest. 

May    24,  1912     Exemplification    for    8th    District   with    Royal 
Arch  Chapter  of  the  Tabernacle,  Maiden. 
R.'.   E.'.  William  Wooldridge,  District  Deputy 
Grand  High  Priest  and  E.-.  L.  L.  Green,  Grand 
Lecturer. 

May    27,  1912     Isle  of  the  Sea  Royal  Arch  Chapter,  Nantucket. 
William  F.  Worth,  High  Priest. 

May  31,  1912     St.  Elmo  Royal  Arch  Chapter,  Whitinsville. 
John  H.  Brannigan,  High  Priest. 

June  7,  1912  Exemplification  for  13th  District,  Waltham,  with 
Waltham  Royal  Arch  Chapter.  R.-.  E.-.  Arthur 
Twitchell,  District  Deputy  Grand  High  Priest 
and  E.*.  L.  L.  Green,  Grand  Lecturer. 

June  18,  1912     Menotomy  Royal  Arch  Chapter,  Arlington. 
Bert  Houghton,  High  Priest. 

June  19,  1912  Monument  Royal  Arch  Chapter,  Great  Barring- 
ton.     Albert  L.  Barnes,  High  Priest. 

June  20,  1912     Berkshire  Royal  Arch  Chapter,  Pittsfield. 
Frank  J.  Barrett,  High  Priest. 
Home    Chapter   of    R.*.  E.-.  James  O.  Clifford, 
D.D.  Grand  High  Priest  for  10th  District. 

June  28,  1912  Past  High  Priest's  Association  for  1st  Capitular 
District,  R.*.  E.-.  James  S.  Blake,  President; 
Point  Shirley  Club,  Annual  Meeting. 

11 


June  29,  1912  Sylvester  Baxter  Royal  Arch  Chapter,  West 
Harwich. 

Arthur  M.  Nichols,  High  Priest. 
Home    Chapter   of   R.-.  E.*.  Francis   H.  Perry, 
District   Deputy   Grand    High    Priest   for    12th 
District. 

July  6,  1912  Past  High  Priest's  Association  for  8th  Capitular 
District,  E.-.  Frederick  A.  Flint,  President; 
Point  Shirley  Club. 

July  18,  1912  Fall  River  Royal  Arch  Chapter,  Fall  River. 
Annual  Clambake  (informal). 

Sept.  5,  1912  Grand  Holy  Royal  Arch  Chapter  of  Pennsyl- 
vania, Philadelphia.     Quarterly  Convocation. 

Sept.  12,  1912     Amherst  Royal  Arch  Chapter  U.*.  D.'.,  Amherst. 
Charles  H.  Rumery,  High  Priest. 

Sept.  18,  1912     William  Person  Royal  Arch  Chapter,  Gloucester. 
George  V.  Fisher,  High  Priest. 
Home    Chapter   of   E.-.  Monson  L.    Wetherell, 
Grand  Steward. 

Sept.  20,  1912     Crescent  Royal  Arch  Chapter,  Orange. 
Charles  L.  Gray,  High  Priest. 

Oct.    16,  1912     Mt.  Holyoke  Royal  Arch  Chapter,  Holyoke. 
Edward  T.  Newton,  High  Priest. 

Dec.      9,  1912     Grand  Council  Royal  and  Select  Masters,  M.-.  !.♦. 
Edgar  W.  Evans,  Grand  Master.     Reception  to 
M.-.  P.".  J.  Albert  Blake,  General  Grand  Master 
of  the   General   Grand    Council   of  the   United 
States. 
The  largest  suite  on  any  visitation  was  58,  at  Springfield. 
The  largest  attendances    were    500,  at  Washington    Chapter, 
Salem,  on  its  hundredth  anniversary,  and  475  at  St.  Paul's  Chap- 
ter, Boston,  on  reception  of  Travelling  Triangle.     Out  of  the  82 
Chapters   in  Massachusetts,  62   have    been    honored   during   the 
past  three  years  by  holding  Grand  offices,  elective  or  appointive. 
Of  the  twenty  remaining  6  are  new  Chapters,  leaving  only  14  un- 
provided for,  temporarily. 

12 


ATTENDANCE    AT    GRAND    CHAPTER 

Not  a  single  Chapter  has  incurred  the  penalty  of  the  law  for 
non-attendance  at  Grand  Chapter  Convocations.  On  the  contrary, 
sixteen  Chapters  have  been  represented  at  every  regular  convoca- 
tion during  the  past  three  years,  namely : 

Adoniram,  New  Bedford  Reading,  Reading 

Bancroft,  Ayer  St.  Mark's,  Taunton 

Concord,  S.  Framingham  St.  Paul's,  Boston 

Keystone,  Foxborough  St.  Stephen's,  Quincy 

King  Hiram,  Attlebor'gh  Tabernacle,  Walden 

Menotomy,  Arlington  Waverly,  Melrose 

Mystic,  Medford  Woburn,  Woburu 

Norfolk,  Hyde  Park  Worcester,  Worcester 

Bethsaida,  of  Everett,  alone  of  the  new  Chapters,  has  been  rep- 
resented at  every  convocation  since  institution. 

Twenty-one  other  Chapters  have  been  absent  one  convocation 
only  during  the  three  years. 

Nine  Chapters  have  missed  all  three  convocations  so  far  this  year. 

AS    TO    MORE    CHAPTERS 

With  the  membership  in  Blue  Lodges  growing  so  rapidly,  some 
of  the  Chapters  are  also  growing  very  large,  too  large  and 
unwieldy  properly  to  conserve  the  best  Masonic  interests  of  their 
communities ;  too  large  to  have  even  their  own  members  meet 
together  in  comfort  on  special  occasions ;  and  within  a  few  years 
they  should  wisely  take  action  themselves,  within  their  own  num- 
bers, and,  as  a  loving  mother  for  a  beloved  child,  to  form  new 
Chapters. 

Several  of  the  larger  Chapters  are  in  mill  towns,  where  local 
conditions  may  be  at  present  adverse.  But  in  Springfield  I  doubt 
very  much  whether  Morning  Star  Chapter,  with  702  members,  in 
a  city  of  homes,  with  over  90,000  population,  with  all  the  best 
efforts  of  able  and  efficient  officers  who  are  devoted  to  the  Rite, 
can  possibly  properly  give  the  service  to  which  such  a  rich  and 

la 


thriving  city  is  fairly  entitled.  One  black  ball  in  that  great  city 
will  keep  any  man  out  of  the  Chapter  !  They  added  43  new  meoa- 
bers  this  year ;  many  more  applied. 

As  I  have  heretofore  repeatedly  urged  upon  this  Chapter,  I 
would  again  ask  their  careful  attention  to  this  matter,  that  they 
themselves  organize  and  wisely  foster  a  new  Chapter  in  Spring- 
field within  the  next  few  years  ;  a  daughter  who,  in  time  to  come, 
will  worthily  share  in  the  proud  and  honorable  history  and  tradi- 
tions of  the  Ancient  Mother  Chapter.  One  large  Chapter  is 
better  on  many  accounts  than  two  weak  ones,  but  in  my  opinion 
two  good  Chapters  will  better  serve  a  large  community,  as  in 
Worcester,  than  any  single  Chapter,  no  matter  how  large. 

LETTERS  TO  DEPUTIES  AND  CHAPTERS 

On  January  15  I  issued  to  the  fifteen  District  Deputy  Grand 
High  Priests  a  full  letter  of  instruction,  substantially  as  in  pre- 
vious years  (vide  page  104,  Proceedings  1910;  page  99,  Pro- 
ceedings 1911). 

On  March  30  I  issued  the  following  letter  to  the  Chapters,  to 
be  read  in  Chapter  session.     It  speaks  for  itself :  — 

To  the  Royal  Arch  Chapter  of  the  Obedience  of  the  Grand  Royal  Arch 
Chapter  of  Massachusetts  : 

GREETING 

The  following  errors  are  noted  in  the  Annual  Report  of  Proceedings 
of  the  Grand  Chapter  for  the  year  1911 :  — 

1.  Page  44.  List  of  Grand  Representatives  of  other  Grand  Chapters 
near  the  Grand  Chapter  of  Massachusetts. 

R.  •.  E.  •.  John  L.  Stone,  of  Marlborough,  is  the  Grand  Representative 
of  tlie  Grand  Chapter  of  Mississippi,  instead  of  R.  •.  E.-.  Frank  E.  Wing. 

2.  Page  129.     Auditing  Committee. 

E.-.  William  Martin,  of  Winchester,  was  appointed  on  this  Committee, 
December,  1910,  in  place  of  E.-.  James  S.  Blake,  who  was  at  that  time 
appointed  D. •.  D. •.  G. •.  H. ■.  P.*.  for  the  1st  District. 

NEW    APPOINTMENTS 

M.'.  P].-.  Frederick  T.  Comee,  Past  Grand  High  Priest,  is  hereby  ap- 
pointed "Committee  on  Foreign  Correspondence,"  in  place  of  M. •.  E.*. 


14 


J.  Gilman  Waite,  who  resigned  January  24,  1912,  after  reappointment, 
after  fourteen  yeara'  faithful  service. 

Grand  Representatives  near  the  Grand  Chapter  of  Massachusetts. 

The  names  of  the  following  have  been  forwarded  for  appointment :  — 

E.-.  Edward  P.  Hatch,  of  Newtonville,  for  the  Grand  Chapter  of  Nova 
Scotia,  in  place  of  R.  •.  E.-.  James  Downs,  of  Natick,  deceased. 

R.'.  E.-.  David  T.  Montague,  of  Somerville,  for  the  Grand  Chapter  of 
Rhode  Island,  in  place  of  R.  •.  E.  •.  Herbert  F.  Morse,  deceased. 

E.  •.  Charles  W.  Godfrey,  of  Fitchburg,  for  the  Grand  Chapter  of  Utah, 
in  exchange  of  courtesies. 

COMMITTEE  ON  CHAPTER  BANNER 

To  consider  and  report  to  the  Grand  Chapter  as  to  adopting  a  Chapter 
banner : — 

M.-.  E.-.  Warren  B.  Ellis,  Past  Grand  High  Priest. 

E.-.  George  C.  Thacher,  High  Priest  of  St.  Paul's  Royal  Arch  Chapter, 
Boston. 

E.  •.  Lewis  M.  Witherell,  Past  High  Priest  of  St.  Mark's  Royal  Arch 
Chapter,  Taunton.  (Past  District  Deputy  Grand  High  Priest,  3d 
District.) 

PAST    DEGREE 

Recently  hearing  that  in  a  large  Chapter  near  Boston  the  Past  Degree 
had  been  worked  in  a  riotous  manner,  I  cited  the  High  Priest  before  me 
to  show  cause  why  charges  should  not  be  preferred  against  him  for  viola- 
tion of  his  oath  of  office  in  permitting  such  actions.  He  pleaded  igno- 
rance of  the  law,  as  his  principal  excuse.  He  is  now  on  probation,  and  a 
Grand  officer  will  attend  every  meeting  of  his  Chapter.  In  order  that 
no  other  High  Priest,  nor  any  officer,  nor  member  of  any  Chapter  within 
this  Commonwealth,  may  hereafter  plead  such  ignorance,  your  attention 
is  called  to  the  following  :  — 

By-Laws  of  Grand  Chapter,  page  63  of  "Grand  Constitution  and 
Digest,"  edition  1902. 

"  Standard  work  :  Every  Chapter  shall  practise  the  work  as 
adopted  by  this  Grand  Chapter  and  exemplified  by  the  Grand 
Lecturers.  The  ritual  of  the  degree  of  Past  Master  shall  be  con- 
fined exclusively  to  the  text  as  laid  down  by  the  Grand  Chapter, 
and  shall  be  conferred  without  any  intermission  or  interruption 
in  the  order  of  progression.  In  tlie  Royal  Arch  Degree  the 
candidates  for  exaltation  shall  be  under  the  exclusive  control  of 
the  proper  officers  and  without  interference  by  any  other  person. 
Any  Chapter  wilfully  violating  these  provisions  shall  be  subject 
to  discipline." 
As  Grand  High  Priest,  endeavoring  to  obey  the  laws,  and  believing,  as 
I  do,  that  such  actions,  like  millstones,  have  weighed  down  the  Capitular 

15 


Rite  for  many  years,  and  to  a  large  degree  destroyed  its  dignity  and  in- 
fluence, I  ask  your  co-operation  to  utterly  stamp  out  this  evil.  Such 
practices  have  driven  away  from  us  our  best  and  most  worthy  ;  they 
cater  only  to  the  unthinking  and  undesirable. 

All  High  Priests  will  be  held  personally  responsible  for  control  of  their 
Chapters  at  all  times.  During  the  working  of  the  degree  no  outside  in- 
terference, no  motions  of  any  kind,  no  roughness,  undue  levity  or  coarse- 
ness is  to  be  permitted.  There  is  just  as  much  warrant  for  similar 
interruption  in  the  very  middle  of  the  Most  Excellent.  Our  beautiful 
Capitular  Kite  has  lived,  in  spite  of  these  terrible  drawbacks  ;  relieved 
from  tlieir  humiliations,  it  has  a  future  of  marvellous  promise  before  it. 
Bear  in  mind  always  that  only  the  officers  can  take  part ;  that  no  mem- 
ber, not  even  a  Past  High  Priest  as  such,  can  interfere  in  the  degree  work 
at  any  time  in  the  Past  or  Royal  Arch  Degrees. 

Companions,  let  us  bring  our  beautiful  Rite  up  to  the  high  standard  it 
deserves,  that  it  may  indeed  be  the  ancient  "  Holy  Royal  Arch."  Let 
us  work  all  our  degrees  witli  as  much  dignity  and  solemnity  as  if  they 
were  church  services ;  let  us  forever  eliminate  everything  unworthy  of 
true  Masonry  ;  let  us  strive  to  exemplify  in  the  Chapter  hall  and  in  our 
lives  and  homes  the  sublime  teachings  of  God  that  Masonry  represents. 
Then  shall  our  Great  Temple  be  filled  with  the  spirit  of  true  worship  and 
the  blessing  of  God  rest  upon  us. 

Fraternally  yours, 

Charles  Dana  Burrage, 
Boston,  March  30,  1912.  Grand  High  Priest. 

Late  in  August  I  called  further  attention  to  the  subject  by 
issuing  the  following  letter  to  the  Chapters :  — 

0f  HaaHarljUBrttH 

Wffxtt  of  tilt  dranb  ^xg,i\  fri^at 

To  the  District  Deputy  Grand  High  Priests  of  the  Grand  Royal  Arch 
Chapter  of  Massachusetts : 

In  the  spring  a  circular  letter  was  sent  to  every  Chapter  referring  to  a 
violation  of  the  By-Laws  (Page  53)  relating  to  the  Past  Degree. 

I  regret  that  I  have  good  reason  to  believe  that  several  Chapters  have 
been  at  fault  in  the  same  manner,  and  have  permitted  serious  variations 
from  the  Ritual. 


16 


To  make  the  position  of  the  Grand  Chapter  perfectly  clear,  every  Dis- 
ti'ict  Deputy  Grand  High  Priest  is  hereby  instructed  :  — 

To  exercise  special  supervision  over  the  Chapters  in  his  District 
on  all  workings  of  the  Past  and  Royal  Arch  Degrees,  and 

Upon  any  violation  of  the  By-Laws  of  the  Grand  Chapter,  even 
in  the  slightest  matter,  if  it  involve  making  of  motions  or  any  un- 
authorized participation  by  members,  at  once  to. refer  the  matter 
to  the  Grand  High  Priest,  with  such  particular  information  as  will 
enable  charges  to  be  made  against  the  High  Priest  presiding,  and 
also  to  procure  and  bring  to  the  Grand  High  Priest  the  Charter  of 
the  offending  Chapter,  for  action  by  the  Grand  Chapter. 

By  order  of 

CHARLES   DANA  BURRAGE, 

Grand  High  Priest. 
Attest  : 

J.  GILMAN   WAITE, 

Grand  Secretary. 

After  all  this  I  learned  recently,  with  regret,  that  an  old  and 
large  Chapter  some  fifty  miles  from  Boston  had  always  used,  and 
was  now  using,  a  Master's  hat  in  the  Past  Degree,  although 
scrupulously  observing  all  other  requirements  of  the  Grand  Chap- 
ter. After  summons  to  the  High  Priest  and  hearing,  this  Chapter, 
to  save  suspension  of  its  Charter,  has  promised  in  writing,  through 
its  High  Priest,  never  again  to  infringe  the  law  even  in  its  slight- 
est particulars. 

All  other  Chapters  may  well  bear  in  mind  that  the  use  of  the 
hat  is  absolutely  forbidden  in  Chapters  at  all  times  as  well  as  all 
unusual  forms  of  paraphernalia  in  the  Royal  Arch. 

VISITS    TO    OTHER    GRAND    CHAPTERS 

Receiving  a  cordial  invitation  from  M.*.  E.*.  Grand  High  Priest 
John  Lynch  to  attend  the  Annual  Convocation  of  the  Grand  Royal 
Arch  Chapter  of  New  Hampshire  on  May  14th,  I  was  unable  to 
attend,  and  R.-.  E.*.  David  T.  Montague,  Grand  King,  and  R.-.  E.*. 
Alfred  H.  Nash,  Grand  Scribe,  went  in  my  stead,  reporting  a  warm 
welcome  and  generous  hospitality. 

On  the  same  day  the  Annual  Convocation  of  the  Grand  Royal 
Arch  Chapter  of  Connecticut  was  also  held,  to  which  I  was  also 
invited  by  M.*.  E.-.  George  R.  Morris,  Grand  High  Priest.  The 
Deputy  Grand  High  Priest,  R.'.  E.-.  Charles  H.  Preston,  attended 

17 


in  my  place  and  was  received  with  greetings  of  respect  and  warm 
affection. 

In  August  I  attended  an  informal  outing  given  by  M.'.  E.*. 
Herbert  Bliss,  Grand  High  Priest  of  the  Grand  Royal  Arch 
Chapter  of  Rhode  Island,  at  Newport,  R.  I.,  when  some  thirty- 
five  members  of  the  Grand  Chapter  were  present.  The  Massachu- 
setts delegation  was  received  and  entertained  royally. 

On  September  5th  I  visited  the  Grand  Holy  Royal  Arch 
Chapter  of  Pennsylvania  in  quarterly  session,  accompanied  by 
M.-.  E.-.  Harry  Hunt,  Past  Grand  High  Priest,  and  E.-.  A.  P. 
Calder,  Grand  Royal  Arch  Captain.  We  were  received  by 
M.*.  E.*.  A.  G.  Criswell  Smith,  Grand  High  Priest,  and  party  of 
Grand  officers,  taken  in  autos  to  Valley  Forge,  and  over  the 
Reservation,  We  placed  a  wreath  brought  for  the  purpose  from 
Massachusetts  at  the  Massachusetts  tablet  to  her  dead ;  also, 
another  wreath  in  the  name  of  this  Grand  Chapter  at  the  grave 
of  Franklin,  in  Philadelphia.  We  were  entertained  at  dinner  at 
the  Art  Club,  attended  a  banquet  at  six,  were  introduced  to  the  mem- 
bers of  the  Grand  Chapter  at  an  informal  reception,  and,  later,  form- 
ally in  full  session.  The  hospitality  and  fraternal  care  of  our  Penn- 
sylvania Companions  were  overwhelming  in  thoughtful  courtesy. 

I  sincerely  hope  that  the  Masonic  relations  between  Pennsyl- 
vania and  Massachusetts  may  become  as  closely  cordial  as  the 
sincerity  of  our  recent  visits  to  each  other  presages. 

GENERAL  GRAND  ROYAL  ARCH  CHAPTER 

Owing  to  the  date  of  our  September  Quarterly  Convocation 
coming  on  the  same  day  as  that  of  the  Triennial  Convocation  of  the 
General  Grand  Royal  Arch  Chapter  of  the  United  States  (Sep- 
tember 10)  none  of  the  Grand  Council  were  able  to  attend,  but  a 
large  delegation  of  Past  Grand  High  Priests  went  to  Indianapolis 
from  Massachusetts. 

Past  Grand  High  Priest  J.  Albert  Blake  was  elected  General 
Grand  Royal  Arch  Captain  of  the  General  Grand  Royal  Arch 
Chapter,  and  also  M.*.  P.-.  General  Grand  Master  of  the  General 
Grand  Council,  graceful  and  deserved  tributes  both  to  him  and  to 
Massachusetts. 


18 


DEPUTIES    AND    GRAND    OFFICERS 

To  the  District  Deputy  Grand  High  Priests  who  have  labored 
with  such  exceeding  zeal,  to  all  the  Grand  officers  who  have 
served  with  me  I  give  hearty  and  most  grateful  thanks. 

Again  I  would  commend  to  you  E.-.  Edward  P.  Hatch,  Grand 
Captain  of  the  Host,  for  unequalled  service  in  patient,  generous 
loyalty ;  again  I  acknowledge  in  gratitude  the  eager  response  by 
hundreds  of  Chapter  officers,  past  and  present,  to  serve  upon  my 
suite  at  visitations. 

The  Deputies  without  exception  report  increased  interest,  at- 
tendance and  enthusiasm  among  the  Chapters,  an  awakening  to 
a  larger  appreciation  of  the  beauties  and  dignity  of  our  Rite,  more 
benefit  and  better  results  from  annual  exemplifications ;  not  one 
reports  weakness  (except  that  one  protests  the  election  of  an  in- 
efficient High  Priest)  ;  many  of  them  have  been  extremely  pains- 
taking in  their  care  of  their  districts,  visiting  every  Chapter  sev- 
eral times  during  the  year,  and  all  accompanying  the  Grand  High 
Priest  on  all  visitations  within  their  own  districts,  and  on  many 
outside.  Every  Deputy,  I  believe,  has  installed  the  officers  of 
one  or  more  Chapters  in  his  district  —  a  wonderful  record. 

The  Grand  Lecturers  deserve  your  warmest  appreciation  and 
heartiest  thanks,  for  they  have  carried  on  the  work  so  well  begun 
by  their  predecessors  in  equally  loyal  and  unselfish  manner,  until 
today  the  degree  work  of  the  Chapters  is  quite  uniform  and  accu- 
rate, and  is  dignified  and  impressive  as  rendered  in  every  Chapter 
in  the  Commonwealth.  They  have  proved  indeed  pillars  of  wis- 
dom and  strength  to  the  Grand  Chapter  and  Grand  High  Priest 
during  my  three-year  term.  To  all  the  High  Priests  and  officers 
of  all  the  Chapters  who,  without  exception,  have  received  me  as 
the  official  head  of  the  Grand  Chapter  with  exceeding  courtesy 
and  generous  fraternity  I  am  most  grateful,  for  to  me  always  here- 
after Capitular  Masonry  will  appear  so  much  greater,  stronger, 
richer;  my  soul  is  uplifted  in  keener  appreciation  of  the  grandeur 
of  its  high  destiny. 

Of  the  present  Grand  Representatives  of  other  Grand  Chapters 
near  our  Grand  Chapter  thirteen  are  Past  High  Priests  who  are 
not  permanent  members  of  the  Grand  Chapter.     It  seems  to  me 

19 


GRAND     REPRESENTATIVES 

that  it  would  greatly  conduce  to  increased  attendance  and  interest 
in  our  Grand  Chapter  Convocations,  in  these  later  years  of 
strength  and  activity,  if  these  appointments  were  not  given  here- 
after so  largely  to  those  who  are  already  permanent  members  and 
therefore  entitled  by  right  to  be  called  "  R.-.  E.-.  Companion," 
but  instead  a  larger  number  were  given  to  earnest  aspiring  work- 
ers, among  whom  are  the  future  officers  and  permanent  members 
of  this  Grand  Chapter. 

For  one,  I  am  entirely  willing  to  forego  the  honor  that  some 
deserving  hard  working  District  Deputy  or  Past  High  Priest  may 
have  it  during  the  interval  before  he  may  be  called  to  further  ser- 
vice, and  I  therefore  request  the  incoming  Grand  High  Priest  to 
recommend  for  appointment  some  one  in  my  place. 

During  1910  the  Grand  Chapters  of  Iowa,  Kansas  and  New 
Zealand  were  not  represented  at  any  of  the  four  convocations. 

In  1911,  South  Carolina  was  so  unrepresented. 

In  1912,  Georgia,  Minnesota,  New  Hampshire,  North  Carolina, 
South  Carolina,  South  Dakota  and  Texas  have  not  been  repre- 
sented at  any  of  the  three  convocations  so  far  held,  but  may  be  today. 

Owing  to  the  long  illness,  ending  in  the  recent  greatly  regretted 
death,  of  Right  Excellent  Edward  J.  Sartelle,  Wisconsin  has  not 
been  represented  at  convocations  for  several  years.  The  Grand 
Representatives  of  the  following  Grand  Chapters  have  attended 
every  convocation  of  this  Grand  Chapter  during  the  years  1910, 
1911,  1912  to  date:  Alabama,  Arkansas,  Kentucky,  Maryland, 
Nebraska,  Quebec. 

The  following  missed  one  convocation  only:  Arizona,  Dela- 
ware, Maine,  Missouri,  Oklahoma,  Pennsylvania,  Virginia. 

RECOMMENDATIONS 

After  my  experience  for  three  years  as  Grand  High  Priest  I 
would  earnestly  and  thoughtfully  make  the  following  recommenda- 
tions to  my  successor,  to  the  Chapters  and  to  the  Grand  Chapter : 
To  my  successor,  in  his  wise  discretion,  I  would  recommend : 
That,  above  all  else,  he  be  insistent  in  the  enforcement  of  the 
laws  relating  to  the  Past  and  Royal  Arch  Degrees. 

20 


That  he  continue  the  card  system  at  the  door  for  all  Grand 
Chapter  Convocations. 

That  he  continue  to  invite  all  Past  High  Priests  and  Secretaries 
to  all  Grand  Chapter  Convocations. 

That  he  have  annual  exemplifications  of  two  degrees  in  every 
district. 

That  he  have  occasional  special  exemplifications  in  the  10th  and 
12th  Districts  on  account  of  the  distances  from  Boston. 

That  he  request  the  Deputy  Grand  High  Priest,  Grand  King 
and  Grand  Scribe  to  visit  in  the  spring,  each  year,  such  Chapters, 
not  exceeding  seven  each,  as  may  be  assigned  by  the  Grand  High 
Priest,  to  the  end  that  every  Chapter  in  the  Commonwealth  may 
be  visited  at  least  once  during  each  period  of,  say,  five  years,  by  a 
member  of  the  Grand  Council,  in  addition  to  the  annual  formal 
inspection  in  the  fall  by  the  District  Deputy. 

That  he  continue  the  division  of  the  Commonwealth  into  at 
least  fifteen  districts,  for  the  greater  convenience  and  advantage  of 
everybody  concerned. 

That  he  cause  at  least  800  copies  of  the  Reports  of  Proceedings 
to  be  printed  each  year,  that  one  copy  may  be  sent  to  each  Chap- 
ter for  preservation  for  use  by  the  members. 

To  the  Chapters  I  would  recommend  :  — 

To  pay  more  attention  to  the  history  and  traditions  of  Masonry 
through  addresses  and  lectures. 

To  work  some  degree  at  every  Convocation,  whether  there  be 
a  candidate  or  not. 

To  appoint  permanent  committees  on  the  degree  lectures,  and 
cause  these  lectures  to  be  delivered  often. 

To  lessen  the  cost  of  banquets  by  serving  simple  food  only. 

To  establish  permanent  funds  in  every  Chapter. 

Always  to  maintain  the  sacred  flag  of  our  country  displayed  in 
the  Chapter  hall  as  a  symbol  of  that  loyalty  that  is  one  of  the 
great  attributes  of  a  Mason. 

To  cause  all  Grand  Chapter  Convocations  to  be  attended  by 
Chapter  officers  for  the  benefit  of  the  fraternal  acquaintanceship 
made  there,  thus  leading  to  more  visits  between  Chapters  and  their 
members, — a  result  to  be  desired.    To  support  your  officers  loyally 

21 


and  with  abiding  zeal,  for  they  are  all,  practically  without  excep- 
tion, laboring  most  earnestly  for  the  best  interests  of  the  institution. 

To  send  copies  of  your  notices  of  meetings  more  freely,  as  to 
all  Grand  officers  in  office.  Past  Grand  High  Priests,  and  as 
many  High  Priests  of  other  Chapters  as  convenient,  because  such 
publicity  will  inevitably  attract  larger  numbers  of  desirable  visit- 
ors, and  thus  add  to  the  value  and  dignity  of  our  beautiful 
Capitular  Rite. 

To  the  Grand  Chapter  I  recommend  to  enact  into  law  the 
following :  — 

That  every  Chapter  be  required  to  have  a  duplicate  Charter  for 
current  use. 

That  a  committee  be  appointed  by  the  Grand  High  Priest  to 
draft  a  report  to  be  submitted  to  the  Grand  Chapter  prescribing 
the  shape,  form,  colors  and  permissible  symbols  and  other  adorn- 
ments of  the  Royal  Arch  apron  to  be  worn  in  all  Chapters  under 
the  obedience  of  this  Grand  Chapter  in  order  that  there  may  be 
proper  uniformity. 

That  every  Chapter  be  required  to  provide  proper  care  for  the 
Annual  Reports  of  Proceedings. 

That  hereafter  all  Chapters  purchasing  new  costumes  or  para- 
phernalia shall  first  submit  designs  therefor  to  the  Grand  High 
Priest  and  obtain  his  approval. 

That  every  Past  High  Priest  who  has  served  as  District 
Deputy  Grand  High  Priest  for  two  full  terms  of  one  year  each 
shall  thereafter  be  entitled  to  the  courtesy  title  of  ''  Excellent 
Past  Deputy  "  (or  other  distinctive  title),  with  the  right  to  receive 
notices  of  and  attend  all  Grand  Chapter  Convocations,  without, 
however,  either  voice  or  vote. 

That  (in  courtesy  to  our  Sister  Grand  Chapters  several  of 
whom  grant  their  Grand  Representatives  the  title  of  Right  Excel- 
lent) all  Grand  Representatives  of  other  Grand  Chapters  near  the 
Grand  Royal  Arch  Chapter  of  Massachusetts  while  holding  such  ap- 
pointment be  given  the  courtesy  title  of  Right  Excellent  Companion. 

Further,  because  many  of  our  Chapters  are  growing  so  large  in 
the  number  of  their  members,  because  there  is  an  increasing 
number  of  fraternal  visits  by  Companions  to  other  Chapters,  and 

22 


because  there  is  increasing  abuse  of  these  privileges,  all  tending  to 
throw  undue  responsibility  upon  the  Tylers,  and  further,  because 
reports  from  the  Chapters  show  quite  uniform  laxness  in  collec- 
tion of  dues,  I  strongly  recommend  the  adoption  of  a  regulation 
by  this  Grand  Chapter  substantially  as  follows  :  — 

"  Every  member  of  a  subordinate  Chapter,  except  honorary  and 
life  members,  and  such  officers  who  are  or  may  be  exempted  by 
the  By-Laws  of  a  subordinate  Chapter  from  the  payment  of  dues, 
shall  pay  to  the  Secretary  of  such  subordinate  Chapter  of  which 
he  is  a  member  the  sum  specified  in  the  By-Laws  to  be  paid  an- 
nually by  every  member  for  the  support  of  the  Chapter,  upon  pay- 
ment of  which  the  Secretary  of  such  subordinate  Chapter  shall,  on 
the  first  day  of  January  in  each  year,  issue  to  him  (as  well  as  to 
each  honorary  and  life  member  and  officer  as  aforesaid)  a  '  good 
standing  card '  for  the  current  year,  which  card  must  be  shown  to 
the  Tyler  before  being  admitted  into  any  subordinate  Chapter." 

The  form  of  such  card  shall  be  substantially  as  follows :  — 

ROYAL   ARCH   CHAPTER 

OF 


g       This  is  to  certify  that  Companion 


g       is  a  member  of Royal  Arch  Chapter 

S       and  declared  to  be  in  good  and  regular  standing  during 
the  year 

Secretary. 

The  need  of  such  legislation  is  clearly  shown  by  the  fact  that 
the  adoption  of  such  a  card  system  caused  an  immediate  drop  in 
attendance  (by  members  behind  in  dues,  unaffiliated,  and  others 
not  entitled)  to  the  number  of  over  one  hundred  in  one  Masonic 
body  in  Boston  alone.    There  is  also  no  question  but  that  it  would 

28 


greatly  lighten  the  work  of  secretaries,  and  assist  to  solve  many 
present  problenQS  for  Chapters.  I  am  informed,  and  have  reason 
to  believe,  that  at  the  present  time  many  former  members  of 
Chapters  who  have  been  suspended  for  non-payment  of  dues  con- 
tinue to  visit  other  Chapters  than  their  own,  having  formerly  been 
vouched  for.  The  proposed  card  would  absolutely  prevent  such 
practices. 

Further,  because  there  is  an  increasing  practice  among  Chap- 
ters, especially  in  the  vicinity  of  Boston,  of  having  their  candi- 
dates worked  by  other  Chapters,  in  order  to  shorten  the  time 
usually  required  to  take  all  four  degrees,  and  no  records  are  now 
available  as  to  the  extent  of  this  practice  ;  and  further  believing 
it  should  be  controlled  by  proper  authority,  I  recommend  that  the 
Chapters  be  forbidden  to  work  degrees  upon  candidates  of  other 
Chapters ;  unless  a  dispensation  permitting  such  action  shall  be 
previously  obtained  from  the  Grand  High  Priest. 

I  further  recommend  :  That,  Chapters  shall  not,  except  under 
dispensation  from  the  Grand  High  Priest,  work  any  degrees 
outside  of  their  own  Chapter  hall. 

That  the  sum  of  five  dollars  shall  be  paid  to  the  Grand  Chap- 
ter, through  the  Grand  Secretary,  by  Chapters  for  every  dispensa- 
tion obtained  for  any  purpose,  except  for  exemplifications,  to  use 
other  halls  in  case  of  fire  or  repairs  ;  or  to  hold  elections  to  fill 
vacancies  in  office  caused  by  death,  all  of  which  shall  be  issued 
without  charge. 

That  the  Grand  Secretary  shall  report  to  the  Grand  Chapter  at 
the  Annual  Convocation  each  year  a  complete  list  of  all  dispensa- 
tions issued  during  the  year. 

That  every  Chapter  shall  send  to  the  Grand  High  Priest  in 
office  copies  of  all  notices  of  Chapter  meetings  issued  by  it  at  the 
same  time  that  they  are  sent  to  its  own  members. 

Companions y  the  future  of  Capitular  Masonry  in  Massachu- 
setts lies  in  your  hands.  You  are  worthily  upholding  the  ancient 
faith  of  Washington,  Franklin  and  Warren ;  you  may  well  be 
proud  of  the  high  standards  you  maintain  ;  you  may  well  face  the 
coming  years  with  assured  and  abiding  confidence.  The  great 
Temple  you  have  builded  stands  upon  solid  rock,  unshaken  by  the 

24 


tempest,  mellowed  and  enriched  by  time,  beautiful  in  the  eyes  of 
men  for  the  sculptured  stories  of  fraternal  sacrifices,  heroisms  and 
self-denials  of  those  who  placed  its  ashlars,  stone  upon  stone,  until 
its  reaching  spires  touch  the  blue  arch  of  heaven.  As  Royal  Arch 
Masons  we  are  given  a  glorious  task,  to  labor  together  in  peace 
and  harmony  under  the  Royal  Arch  until  the  divine  teachings  of 
our  ancient  Craft  shall  speak  through  our  lives  of  crystal  clearness 
to  the  unsatisfied  seekers  of  truth  outside  the  veils,  until  all  the 
thronging  generations  of  men  shall  accept  the  Fatherhood  of  God 
in  our  mystic,  wonderful  Brotherhood  of  Man. 

Realizing  the  irresistible  world-embracing  power  of  Masonry  as 
a  most  potent  force  for  bringing  men  of  all  conditions  to  an  equality 
before  its  altar ;  its  compelling  influences  for  right  living,  affect- 
ing so  strongly  the  lives  of  its  millions  of  clean-souled,  charity- 
working  members  ;  its  beautiful  ceremonies,  so  appealing  in  their 
ancient  simplicity ;  its  jealous  care  for  the  widow  and  orphan,  so 
effective  under  the  stars  of  night  in  silence  and  secrecy ;  its  silent 
power  for  fraternal  peace  in  every  land  and  among  all  the  nations  ; 
its  untold  and  unknowable  value  in  healing  the  wounds  of  fratri- 
cidal war;  so  realizing,  I  humble  my  soul  before  the  glories  of  our 
mysteries  ;  I  see  the  Mystic  Rainbow,  as  a  Royal  Arch  of  Promise, 
reflecting  the  golden  splendor  of  the  dawn,  fateful  symbol  of  the 
countless  centuries  of  the  destiny  of  our  ancient  Institution,  yet 
awaiting  the  unfolding  of  the  prescience  of  the  Jehovah  of  the 
Chosen  People,  the  Father,  Omniscient,  Omnipotent,  Omnipresent, 
whose  "  path  the  whirlwind  is,  whose  breath  the  storm."  Even 
as  Richard  of  the  Lion  Heart  before  Jerusalem,  I  would  say  to 
Masonry,  glorious  mistress  of  the  hearts  of  men  : 

"  O  thou,  more  beautiful  than  all  the  dower 
Of  all  the  ages,  yet  more  sad  than  fair, 
Upon  thine  ancient  throne  in  queenly  wise 
Still  thou  dost  wait  thy  day  ;  of  amethyst 
And  sapphire  is  J,hy  crown  of  hills ;  thy  veil 
The  gold-spun  glory  of  a  thousand  clouds." 

From  "  Richard  I  before  Jerusalem"  Newdigate  prize  poem, 
Oxford,  1912,  hy  William  Chase  Greene,  Harvard-Rhodes 
Scholar, 


25 


Address  on  Receiving  Flag 


On  receiving  flag  presented  to  St.  John's  Royal  Arch 
Chapter,  East  Boston,  by  its  Past  High  Priests,  March  25, 
1912. 

Most  Excellent  High  Priest  Chick  and  Companions  of  St.  John's 
Royal  Arch  Chapter :  — 

I  thank  you  for  this  privilege,  this  proud  and  grateful  privilege 
of  receiving,  on  behalf  of  your  loyal  Chapter  of  Royal  Arch 
Masons,  this  splendid  and  beautiful  flag  of  our  Country ;  this 
sacred  and  inspiring  emblem  of  our  Fatherland ;  this  glorious 
symbol  of  the  soul's  highest  aspirations  in  love  of  Country ;  this 
visible  expression  of  the  triumph  of  Liberty  under  Law  ;  this 
wondrous  flag  of  Freemen,  which  was  baptized  on  the  battlefields 
of  the  Revolution,  under  Washington,  the  dying  sun  casting  upon 
its  war  worn,  tattered  fabric  reflections  of  the  coming  glories  of 
the  centuries  that  yet  lay  in  the  hand  of  God. 

Its  defiant  standard  stood  by  Gen.  Lincoln  as  he,  in  turn,  the 
conquered  become  the  conqueror,  received  the  sword  of  Corn- 
wallis ;  its  starry  folds  flying  free  on  the  ships  of  Lawrence, 
Decatur  and  Paul  Jones,  as  upheld  by  their  gallantry  and  in- 
trepid deeds  of  knightly  daring,  compelled  the  reluctant  admira- 
tion of  Britain's  bravest ;  it  waved  over  the  decks  of  the  brave 
old  Constitution  as  she  swept  the  seas,  unconquered,  the  speaking 
symbol  of  our  free,  young  American  giant  Nation,  just  awakening 
to  the  realization  of  its  strength,  its  unlimited  wealth  of  resources, 
its  boundless  capacities  for  good,  its  marvelous  promise  of  oppor- 
tunity to  the  weak  and  the  oppressed  of  all  the  world. 

Side  by  side  with  the  Masonic  Lone  Star  flag  of  Texas,  it  was 
caught  up  from  the  Alamo,  to  be  borne  across  the  mountains  and 
valleys  of  Mexico  to  the  ancient  city  of  Montezuma ;  side  by  side 
with  the  "  Bear  Flag "  of  Fremont,  at  Sonoma,  it  was  kissed, 
joyously  and  in  happy  omen,  by  the  golden  sunshine  of  California  ; 
carried  by  Whitman  to  the  Oregon,  an  empire  was  won  to  its  pro- 
tecting care. 

26 


Nailed  to  the  mast  of  the  Hartford  as  she  passed  the  forts,  and 
of  the  Kearsarge  as  she  met  the  Alabama ;  with  Hooker  among 
the  clouds  at  Lookout  Mountain,  with  Sherman  to  the  sea,  with 
Sheridan  on  the  Shenandoah,  and  with  Grant  at  Appomattox  ; 
today  the  last  rays  of  the  setting  sun  still  linger  lovingly  on  this 
flag  of  Empire  drooping  low  above  the  roofs  of  Manila,  where 
Dewey  placed  it,  even  as  the  first  hurrying  scarlet  forerunner  of 
Dawn  leaps  across  the  Atlantic  surges,  to  the  Caribbean  Isles,  to 
welcome  the  Stars  and  Stripes,  flying  where  once  the  banner  of 
Columbus  and  of  Spain  cast  its  ominous  shadow  ;  sending  its  mes- 
sage of  forgiveness — not  of  forgetting — to  the  flag  nailed  to  the 
masthead  of  the  "  Maine  "  as,  after  fourteen  years  of  waiting,  she 
sinks  gloriously  to  her  honored  grave  in  the  ocean's  depths. 

The  story  of  the  flag  of  the  United  States  is  the  story  of  the 
Nation. 

Its  field  of  brilliant  stars,  representing  our  sovereign  States, 
recalls  also  the  glory  and  mystery  of  the  constellations  of  God, 
ever  silently  revolving  above  us ;  its  blue  reflects  the  azure  of  the 
heavenly  arch,  symbolizing  the  peace  of  immortality  and  the 
omnipotence  of  the  Most  High ;  its  scarlet  stripes  are  dark  with 
the  life  blood  of  heroes  who  died  that  we  might  have  liberty ;  its 
mystic  white  has  been  washed  clean  and  pure  by  the  tears  of  their 
widows  and  orphans;  weeping  while  a  nation  was  born,  was  saved 
from  itself,  was  won  again  and  a  race  made  free. 

In  my  first  year  as  Grand  High  Priest  I  earnestly  recom- 
mended to  all  our  Chapters  to  keep  the  National  Flag  always  dis- 
played in  the  Chapter  Hall,  believing  that  its  presence  would  ever 
be  an  inspiration,  its  influence  powerful  to  promote  patriotism ; 
saying :  *♦  If  ever  the  angry  heads  of  Anarchy  and  Disunion  shall 
be  raised  to  threaten  the  life  of  our  great  nation,  in  our  ancient 
institution  will  be  found  one  of  the  most  important  bulwarks  of 
national  defence,  a  most  potent  force  of  conservatism  and  un- 
yielding loyalty,  founded  upon  and  growing  out  of  its  profound 
love  and  reverence  for  God,  as  the  great  architect  of  the  Universe." 

Although  the  Grand  Chapter  of  California  has  refused  to 
recommend  similar  action,  on  account  of  the  polyglot  or  cosmo- 
politan character  of  her  population,  1  am  confident  that  she  is 

27 


wrong.  Masonry,  during  its  centuries  of  life,  has  ever  meant 
loyalty,  the  loyalty  of  every  member  to  his  fellows,  to  his  craft, 
to  his  country,  and  his  country's  flag,  to  his  God. 

In  the  ancient  charges  one  of  the  first  and  important  ones  is 
"  ye  shall  be  true  to  the  King."  Remember,  too,  that  no  Mason 
is  compelled  even  to  conceal  treason  ;  so  the  flag  of  the  country 
may  well  have  its  abiding-place,  loved  and  honored,  as  the  sym- 
bol of  loyalty,  in  every  Masonic  body ;  its  expressive  eloquence 
of  "  God  —  our  Country  —  Liberty  "  ever  speaking  to  our  very 
souls  as  we  kneel,  with  humble  and  contrite  hearts,  before  our 
holy  altar.  Massachusetts  vies  with  California  in  the  diverse 
origin  of  her  people,  yet  in  every  Chapter  within  her  borders  that 
I  have  yet  visited,  62  in  number,  I  have  found  the  Stars  and 
Stripes  displayed  in  honor,  pride  and  reverence. 

When,  in  a  foreign  land,  our  longing  eyes  see  the  red,  white 
and  blue  of  its  dear  remembered  folds  waving  in  the  free  air  of 
Heaven,  their  message  of  home  comes  straight  to  the  heart  with 
a  thrill  that  is  almost  ecstatic  in  its  intensity,  and  we  recall,  with 
tears  of  grateful  pride,  the  long  records  of  heroic  sufferings,  sacri- 
fices and  deeds  of  valor  they  symbolize  to  us.  Therefore,  Excel- 
lent Companions,  Past  High  Priests  of  St.  John's  Royal  Arch 
Chapter,  you  do  well  to  present,  in  generous  affection  and  true 
patriotism,  this  splendid  and  costly  banner  to  your  Chapter. 

With  grateful,  thankful  and  rejoicing  hearts  we  accept  it,  vow- 
ing anew  our  lives'  allegiance,  pledging,  as  did  our  fathers  a  cen- 
tury and  more  ago,  our  lives,  our  fortunes  and  our  sacred  honor 
to  its  service,  upholding  and  defence  ;  our  loyalty  to  Masonry 
strengthened  by  its  silent  yet  eloquent  presence. 

Recalling  its  manifold  glories  and  beauties,  may  we  not  well 
say,  with  Drake, 

"  When  Freedom  from  her  mountain  height 
Unfurled  her  standard  to  the  air. 
She  tore  the  azure  robe  of  night 
And  set  the  stars  of  glory  there  ; 
She  mingled  with  its  gorgeous  dyes 
The  milky  baldric  of  the  skies ; 
And  striped  its  pure  celestial  white 
With  streakings  of  the  morning  light. 

28 


'  Flag  of  the  free  hearts'  hope  and  home 
By  angel  hands  to  valor  given, 
Thy  stars  have  lit  the  welkin  dome, 
And  all  thy  hues  were  born  in  Heaven. 
Forever  float  that  standard  sheet ! 
Where  breathes  the  foe  but  falls  before  us, 
With  Freedom's  soil  beneath  our  feet 
And  Freedom's  banner  streaming  o'er  us  !  " 


29 


Address  Delivered  in  1911-12 


The  Meaning  and  Symbolism  of  Capitular  Masonry 

The  following  address  Was  delivered  by  Grand  High 
Priest  Burrage  in  1911-1912,  before  Royal  Arch  Chapters 
at  Lowell,  Chicopee  Falls,  Hyde  Park,  Cambridge,  Ips- 
wich, Stoughton,  West  Harwich,  New  Bedford,  Ames- 
bury,  Newburyport,  Winchendon,  Athol,  Pittsfield,  Great 
Barrington,  Nantucket,  Southbridge,  Haverhill,  Millbury, 
Whitinsville  and  Palmer. 

Moit  Excellent  High  Priest,  Companions  of  Royal  Arch  Chapter, 
and  Friends:  — 

Here  in  the  East  of  your  Chapter  Hall,  before  the  Scarlet  ban- 
ner of  Zeal  that  so  fitly  symbolizes  our  beautiful  Capitular  Rite, 
as  we  review  that  splendid  pageant  of  unselfish  deeds  of  fraternity 
that  represents  the  centuries-old  story  of  Masonry,  may  we  not 
well  pause  for  a  moment,  to  recall  the  meaning  of  the  lessons,  the 
significance  of  the  heart  appeals  in  the  teachings  of  God,  that  in 
all  our  degrees  keep  equal  step  with  the  unfolding  of  the  myster- 
ies ?  For  is  it  not  true,  my  Companions,  that  if  we  fail  to  obtain 
substantial  benefit  in  the  strengthening  of  our  moral  principles  as 
the  impressive  panorama  of  our  degrees  passes  slowly  before  our 
eyes,  it  is  because  we  leave  at  the  threshold  of  the  Chapter  Hall, 
and  do  not  carry  into  our  homes  and  lives,  those  sublime  truths  of 
Charity,  obedience  to  the  laws  of  God,  and  reverence  for  His 
Great  and  Holy  Name  that  are  so  powerfully  presented  to  us  in 
these  mystic  rites  ? 

Does  not  the  ancient  lesson  of  the  "  Mark,"  in  its  limpid  clear- 
ness and  beautiful  simplicity,  stamp  upon  your  soul,  as  with  a 
heated  die  of  brass,  the  true  meaning  of  Charity,  the  glory  of  that 
star  that  is  gleaming  so  radiantly  above  the  new  Masonic  Home 
on  the  hill  at  Charlton  to  illumine  the  whole  Commonwealth  ? 
Do  you  not  bend  low  your  heads  in  adoration  of  the  Most  High, 
as  with  humble  and  contrite  hearts  you  witness  the  magnificent 
ceremonial  of  the  Most  Excellent  ? 


30 


And,  when  at  last,  as  a  Royal  Arch  Companion,  you  write 
your  name  "  under  the  keystone,"  do  you  not,  in  the  depths  of 
your  heart,  renew  your  vows  to  endeavor  to  make  your  own  char- 
acter as  pure,  clean,  and  white  as  its  mystic,  virgin  whiteness  ? 

In  ancient  Persian  writings  we  read, 

"  God  will  not  seek  thy  race, 
Nor  will  he  ask  thy  birth ; 
Alone  will  he  demand  of  thee, 
What  hast  thou  done  on  earth  ?  " 

Masonry  assists  you  to  answer  that  question,  and  in  its  abiding 
influence  for  good,  among  all  its  intimate  and  compelling  compan- 
ionships, has  for  generations,  aye  for  many  centuries,  justified  its 
existence.  Its  essential  attribute  is  character,  and  therefore  in 
its  insistent  calls  to  the  Soul  of  Man  lie  its  value  as  well  as  its 
charm. 

So,  were  the  Royal  Arch  Degree  alone  all  of  Capitular 
Masonry,  it  would  still  grip  the  hearts  of  its  followers  by  its 
appeal,  for,  does  it  not  contain  the  most  powerful  sermon  against 
profanity  to  which  man  ever  listened  ?  Who  is  there  among  us 
who  has  not  thrilled  with  the  sublimity,  the  clear-cut  intensity  of 
its  teachings?  Not  long  ago,  in  a  western  city,  three  hundred 
men,  at  a  meeting,  agreed  to  give  up  the  use  of  profane  language. 
We  know  they  were  Masons ;  we  believe  they  must  have  been 
Chapter  Masons ;  taught  in  the  Chapter,  with  all  its  beauty, 
power  and  impressiveness,  to  reverence  the  Sacred  Name  of  God. 


A  few  years  ago,  late  one  summer  afternoon,  I  heard  the  quick 
double  explosions  of  the  powder  mills  at  Acton,  twenty-five  miles 
distant,  where  several  men  were  blown  to  fragments.  The  next 
day,  at  Concord,  four  miles  away,  there  came  slowly  fluttering 
down  on  the  stones  of  the  prison  yard  at  the  Reformatory  a 
charred  fragment  of  a  leaf  from  a  pocket  Bible,  containing,  in 
part,  that  magnificent  inspired  prose  poem  in  the  last  Chapter  of 
Ecclesiastes,  so  dear  and  so  familiar  to  every  Mason. 

31 


*  *  *  u  jjj  ^Y^Q  ^^y  when  the  keepers  of  the  house  shall 
tremble  *  ♦  *  and  the  grinders  cease  because  they  are  few, 
and  those  that  look  out  of  the  windows  be  darkened,  and  the 
doors  shall  be  shut  in  the  streets,  when  the  sound  of  the  grinding 
is  low,  and  he  shall  rise  up  at  the  voice  of  the  bird,  and  all  the 
daughters  of  music  shall  be  brought  low,  *  *  *  or  ever  the 
silver  cord  be  loosed,  or  the  golden  bowl  be  broken,  or  the  pitcher 
be  broken  at  the  fountain,  or  the  wheel  broken  at  the  cistern  ; 
then  shall  the  dust  return  to  the  earth  as  it  was,  and  the  spirit 
shall  return  unto  God  who  gave  it."  The  Right  Excellent  Com- 
panion who  received  this  leaflet  from  the  explosion  has  always 
believed  that  it  came  from  the  very  person  of  one  of  the  victims. 
May  we  not,  as  Masons,  recall  the  mystic  allusions  in  those  bril- 
liant word  images,  for  to  us,  as  Masons,  "the  keepers  of  the 
house  are  the  shoulders,  arms  and  hands  of  the  human  body ; 
the  grinders  are  the  teeth ;  those  that  look  out  of  the  windows 
are  the  two  eyes ;  the  doors  are  the  lips ;  the  streets  are  the 
mouth  ;  the  sound  of  grinding  is  the  noise  of  the  voice ;  the  voice 
of  the  bird  is  the  crowing  of  the  cock ;  the  daughters  of  music 
are  the  two  ears ;  the  silver  cord  is  the  string  of  the  tongue  ;  the 
golden  bowl  is  the  pia  mater  (the  membrane  enclosing  the  brain 
and  spinal  cord)  ;  the  pitcher  at  the  fountain  is  the  heart,  the 
fountain  of  life ;  the  wheel  is  the  great  artery  ;  and  the  cistern  is 
the  left  ventricle  of  the  heart."  Oliver. 

Remembering  the  glories  of  our  ancient  craft,  may  we  not  rev- 
erently say 

"  The  burning  bush  is  multiplied 
A  thousand  fold  to-day ; 
The  smile  of  God  is  on  the  hills, 
The  peace  for  which  men  pray." 

Bottsford. 


Masonry  has  absorbed,  or  taken  to  itself,  a  marvelous  wealth 
of  symbols  and  emblems  that,  in  their  history,  represent  the  high- 
est aspirations  of  many  ancient  nations  and  religions.  We  have 
time  to  consider  a  few  only,  belonging  to  the  Chapter. 

32 


Fig.  I 


Keystone 

While  in  olden  certificates  of  membership  the  Companion  was 
recited  as  having  "  written  his  name  under  the  keystone,"  the  key- 
stone (Fig.  1)  with  all  its  beauty  and  significance,  as  wrought  to 
perfection  by  the  engraver's  chisel,  is  surpassed  as  a  Chapter  symbol 
by  the  combined  Circle,  Triangle,  and  Triple  Tau  (Fig.  2),  which 
are  the  true  emblems  of  Royal  Arch  Masonry.  All  three  are 
ancient  symbols  of  religious  faith,  used  in  forgotten  ages  at  the 
dawn  of  civilization,  when  man  first  emerged  from  the  savage 
state,  to  symbolize  eternity,  immortality  and  the  Deity. 

Fig.  2 


Circle,  Triangle  and  Triple  Tau 

For  the  circle  was  originally  the  snake,  with  its  tail  in  its 
mouth,  having  neither  beginning  nor  end,  or  eternity,  and  there- 
fore also  properly  symbolizes  the  Almighty  Father,  who  has 
neither  beginning  nor  end  of  days. 

The  equilateral  triangle  was  originally  the  trowel.  It  repre- 
sented the  greatest  and  most  abstruse  mysteries,  signifying  equally 
the  Deity,  Creation  and  fire.     Upon  it  were  taken  the  most  solemn 


33 


Fig.  3 


Water  Triangle 

obligations  —  The  Water  Triangle,  being  the  triangle  inyerted, 
resting  on  its  point  (Fig.  3)  represented  the  good,  kind  and 
merciful  God.  The  Fire  Triangle,  resting  on  its  base  (Fig.  4), 
represented  the  just  and  angry  God.  Because  of  its  three  equal 
sides,  and  therefore  equal  angles,  the  equilateral  triangle  was  in 
ancient  Masonry,  particularly  the  symbol  of  the  Trinity ;  today  it 
represents  to  Royal  Arch  Masons  the  three  equal  essential  attri- 
butes of  God,  Omniscience,  Omnipotence,  and  Omnipresence. 
The  five  pointed  star  or  Pentalpha  (Fig.  5,  five  alphas  or  A's)  is 
the  Pen  tangle  of  Pythagoras,  an  ancient  symbol  of  health,  and  re- 
Fig.  4 


Fire  Tria] 


fers  to  the  five  points  of  fellowship.     The  banner  of  Texas,  the 
Lone  Star  State,  bears  this  Masonic  five  pointed  star,  which  was 


34 


Fig.  5 


Pentalpha.     5  Points 

adopted  because  of  its  Masonic  associations.  The  Chapter,  or 
Companion's  jewel,  the  six-pointed  Star  (Fig.  6)  and  (Fig.  6  A) 
is  a  double  triangle,  formed  by  placing  the  water  triangle  upon 
and  interlacing  with  the  fire  triangle.  It  is  called  the  shield  of 
David,  or  the  seal  of  Solomon,  and  is  the  symbol  of  the  perfect 
Godhead  in  all  His  attributes  and  works.  As  an  ancient  Christian 
symbol  it  represented  the  two  natures  of  Jehovah,  the  God-man. 

This  six  pointed  star  or  double   triangle  is  one  of  the  most 
striking  and  beautiful  symbols  belonging  to  Royal  Arch  Masonry. 

Fig.  6 


6Poinu 


In  ancient  Chapters,  as  a  symbol  of  Deity,  it  was  wrought  into  the 
carpet  before  the  High  Priest,  and  may  be  found  as  the  special 


35 


symbol  of  Royal  Arch  Masonry  on  the  collars  of  officers  in  almost 
every  Chapter.  It  is  also  found  upon  the  body  of  the  Apron  of 
Royal  Arch  Masons,  the  circle,  triangle  and  Triple  Tau  being 
wrought  upon  the  lap. 

Fig.  6  (A) 


The  Grand  Chapter  jewel,  or  star  of  nine  points,  is  formed  of 
three  triangles,  interlaced  (Fig.  7)  and  was  formerly  a  mystical 
symbol  of  health,  and  therefore  of  prosperity. 

Fig.  7 


Grand  Chapter  Star.     9  Points 

The  equilateral  triangle  is  also  said  to  represent  perfect  friend- 
ship ;  the  base  a  duty ;  one  side,  sincerity  of  performance,  the 
other  the  advantages  arising  from  such  performance. 

Because  the  triangle,  like  the  circle,  has  neither  beginning  nor 
end,  it  is  also  a  symbol  of  eternity.     In  Hindu  mythology  the 

36 


three  sides  of  the  sacred  triangle  referred  to  the  Sacred  Triad ;  to 
Brahma,  the  Creator,  who,  clad  in  robes  of  blue,  sits  in  the  East 
to  represent  the  rising  sun ;  to  Vishnu,  the  Preserver,  who  sits  in 
the  West  to  represent  the  settiug  sun ;  and  to  Siva,  the  dread  De- 
stroyer, who  sits  in  the  South  to  represent  the  meridian  sun. 
Brahma  corresponds  with  Time  ;  Vishnu  with  Water ;  Siva  with 
Fire. 

The  three  sides  of  the  equilateral  triangle  refer  also  to  the  sacred 
number  three;  to  the  three  officers  of  the  Council;  three  degrees 
in  the  lodge ;  three  pillars ;  three  ornaments ;  three  great  lights 
and  three  lesser ;  three  movable  and  three  immovable  jewels  ;  three 
rounds  to  Jacob's  ladder  ;  three  ancient  Grand  Masters  ;  three  prin- 
cipal tenets,  and  innumerable  other  similar  threes. 

Fig.  8 


I — ^1    II i 


Jewel  of  Member  of  Order  of  High  Priesthood 

The  triple  triangle  and  the  breastplate  (Fig.  8)  is  properly  the 
jewel  of  an  anointed  High  Priest,  a  member  of  the  Order  of  High 
Priesthood  {vide  also  Figs.  22  and  23).  * 


*  NoTB  —  The  seal  of  the  Grand  Holy 
Royal  Arch  Chapter  of  Pennsylvania  is  a 
very  beautiful  illustration  of  the  symbol- 
ism of  the  triangle.  It  is  a  triple  triangle, 
and  each  side  is  given  its  proper  value. 


37 


Tau  is  the  last  character  in  the  Hebrew  alphabet,  also  a  letter 
in  the  Greek  alphabet.  The  Tau  Cross  (Fig.  9),  as  a  symbol,  orig- 
inated on  the  banks  of  the  Nile,  where  it  was  customary,  from 

Fig.  9 


T 


Tau  Cross 


time  immemorial,  to  mark  the  height  of  the  annual  life-preserving 
flood  by  a  movable  float  on  an  upright  pole.  From  the  certainty  of 
that  annual  overflow  this  symbol  easily  became  adopted  as  the  em- 
blem of  certainty ;  therefore  of  eternity  and  of  an  All-ruling  power. 

Later,  in  the  form  of  the  Christian  cross,  it  was  sanctified  and 
consecrated  on  Calvary.  It  is  said  to  have  been  the  "  mark  *' 
(Tau)  of  which  we  read  in  Ezekiel  as  placed  upon  those  who 
hated  idolatry. 

The  Lord  said  to  the  Angel : 

"  Go  through  the  midst  of  the  city,  through  the  midst  of  Jeru- 
salem and  set  a  mark  upon  the  foreheads  of  the  men  that  sigh 
and  that  cry  for  all  the  abominations  that  be  done  in  the  midst 
thereof." 

And  to  the  avenging  Angel  he  said, 

"  Slay  utterly  *  *  *  but  come  not  near  any  man  upon 
whom  is  the  mark." 

This  mark  of  Tau  or  Tau  Cross  was  in  ancient  times  set  on 
those  who  were  acquitted  by  their  judges,  as  a  proof  of  their  in- 
nocence ;  and  military  commanders  caused  it  to  be  placed  on 
those  who  returned  unhurt  from  battle,  for  it  was  ever  deemed  a 
symbol  of  life. 

Tau  was  also  the  monogram  of  Thoth,  the  symbolical  name  of 
hidden  wisdom  among  the  Egyptians,  and  the  Druids  consecrated 
trees  by  cutting  Tau  crosses  in  their  bark.  In  its  form  Tau  also 
represents  the  Mason's  level. 

38 


Fig.  10 


Triple  Tau 

As  Tau  is  a  symbol  of  Deity,  so  the  Triple  Tau  (Fig.  10)  was 
in  ancient  Masonry,  particularly  a  symbol  of  the  Trinity.  It  is 
said  also  to  represent  the  three  jewels,  or  T  Squares,  of  our  three 
original  Grand  Masters.  It  also  stands  for  the  initial  letters  T 
and  H  of  Templum  Hierosolymae,  the  Temple  of  Jerusalem.  It 
also  represents  the  mystical  union  of  Father  and  Son ;  H  — 
Jehovah;  T — cross  —  Son.  It  is  also  the  monogram  of  Hiram 
of  Tyre  (H  and  T),  said  to  have  been  used  by  him  as  his  "  mark  " 
at  the  building  of  the  Temple.  It  was  also  used  by  both  Hindu 
and  Hebrew  as  a  "  mark  "  to  set  apart  the  elect,  and,  when  the 
wrath  of  the  Lord  slew  the  first  born  of  the  Egyptians,  this  was 
the  protecting  sign  upon  the  houses  of  the  Israelites,  made  by 
command  of  Moses,  by  striking  with  blood  the  two  side  posts  and 
upper  door  posts  of  the  dwelling ;  it  is  therefore  used  by  Royal 
Arch  Masons  to  designate  those  set  apart  or  consecrated,  or  those 
who  know  the  true  name  of  God. 

The  triple  Tau  is  also  sometimes  called  ''  Clavis  ad  Thesaurum," 
"  a  key  to  a  treasure,  "  for  it  has  still  further  and  peculiar  signifi- 
cance to  the  Royal  Arch  Mason.  In  former  days  there  were  six 
lights  in  a  Chapter;  the  three  great  lights  arranged  in  a  large  tri- 
angle, with  the  apex  to  the  East,  the  three  lesser  in  a  small  tri- 
angle bisecting  the  three  sides  of  the  larger,  forming  four  equi- 
lateral triangles  (Fig.  11) ,  symbolizing  the  four  degrees  of  Entered 
Apprentice,  Fellow  Craft,  Master  Mason,  and  Holy  Royal  Arch. 

39 


Fig.  II 


Great  Lights.     Lesser  Lights 

This  symbolical  arrangement  corresponds  to  the  mysterious 
triple  Tau,  T  which  has  two  right  angles  at  each  of  its  exterior 
lines,  and  l"*Hi  two  others  at  their  union  in  the  centre,  in  all 
eight  —  corresponding  to  the  four  triangles,  for  the  three  interior 
angles  of  every  triangle  are  together  equal  to  two  right  angles, 
the  sum  of  the  right  angles  of  the  four  triangles  being  eight. 
Therefore,  every  triangle  resolved  into  its  elements,  or  value  in 
right  angles,  =  T  (Triple  Tau).  With  the  aid  of  the  triple 
Tau  as  a  key  ^*^  therefore  we  read  the  ancient  Chapter  jewel 
(Fig.  12)  as  forming,  by  its  intersections,  a  given  number  of  angles  ; 

Fig.  12 


Companion's  Jewel 

40 


these  may  be  taken  in  five  combinations,  which,  reduced  or  re- 
solved to  their  amount  in  right  angles,  will  be  found  equal  to  the 
five  regular  Platonic  bodies,  representing  the  four  elements.  Fire, 
Air,  Earth,  Water  and  also  the  Universe.*     That  is,  the  small 

Fig.  13 


Tetrahedron 

triangle,  G.  H.  I.  resolved  into  its  elements  =  4  equilateral  tri- 
angles =  T  (Triple  Tau)  r=  8  right  angles.  These  are  equal 
to  those  ^™4  contained  in  a  solid  body  called  the  Tetrahedron 
(Fig.  13),  contained  under  four  equilateral  triangles,  each  of 
whose  solid  angles  is  formed  by  the  union  of  three  plane  acute 
angles,  and  on  account  of  its  lightness  as  well  as  its  acute  and 
pyramidal  form,  represents  the  Platonic  element  of  FIRE. 


*  Note  —  The  Platonic  theory  was,  that  the  Universe  itself,  as  well  as 
its  subordinate  parts,  both  animate  and  inanimate,  were  created  by  the 
Deity  from  the  Four  elements  —  Fire,  Air,  Water  and  Earth.  It  was 
conceived  according  to  this  theory  that  all  created  matter  must  be  both 
visible  and  tangible.  Now,  considering  Fire  as  the  source  of  light,  it  is 
plain  that  nothing  can  be  visible  without  it ;  and  since  nothing  can  be 
tangible  but  what  is  solid,  and  that  the  earth  is  the  most  properly  solid 
of  all  the  four  elements,  therefore  all  created  matter  was  constituted  of 
Fire  and  Earth. 


41 


Fig.  14 


Octahedron 

So  the  two  larger  triangles,  water  and  fire  (A.  B.  C.  and  D.  E. 
F.)  resolved  =  2  T  (Triple  Tau)  =  16  right  angles,  equal  in 
amount  to  those  ^*^  contained  in  the  solid  body  called  an  Octa- 
hedron (Fig.  14),  contained  under  eight  equilateral  triangles,  each 
solid  angle  formed  by  the  union  of  four  plane  acute  angles,  and 
being  next  in  lightness  and  acuteness  to  the  Tetrahedron,  repre- 
sents the  Platonic  element  of  AIR. 

Fig.  15 


i 


Cube 

42 


The  two  larger  and  small  central  triangles,  resolved,=  3 
(Triple  Tau)  =  16  right  angles,  equal  in  amount  to  those 
contained  in  the  Cube  (Fig.  15),  a  solid  body  contained  by  six 
equal  squares,  each  solid  angle  formed  by  the  union  of  three 
plane  right  angles.  This  body  being  next  most  substantial  in 
form,  as  well  as  firmest  and  most  immovable  on  its  base,  repre- 
sents the  platonic  element  of  EARTH. 

So  D.  E   ¥.,  the  water  triangle,  divided  into  four  equilateral 
triangles  and  together  with  the  triangle  A.  B,  C,  resolved  =:  5 

i  (Triple  Tau)  =  40  right  angles,  equal  in  amount  to  those 
contained  in  the  Icosahedron  (Fig.  16),  a  solid  body  bounded 

Fig.  16 


Icosahedron 

by  20  equal  equilateral  triangles,  each  solid  angle  formed  by  the 
union  of  five  plane  acute  angles.  This  body  being  the  heaviest 
of  the  solids  contained  by  triangles,  and  next  in  weight  to  the 
Cube,  represents  the  Platonic  element  of  WATER. 

The  six  small  triangles  around  the  circumference  together  with 
the  small  central  triangle  G.  H.  I.,  resolved  =  7  T  (Triple  Tau) 
=  56  right  angles.  Add  the  value  of  the  12  l"H  external  an- 
gles of  the  six  triangles  =16  right  angles,  making  in  all  72 
right  angles,  equal  in  amount  to  those  contained  in  the  Dodeca- 
hedron (Fig.  17),  a  solid  body  contained  by  12  equal  equilateral 


43 


Fig.  17 


Dodecahedron 


pentagons,  each  solid  angle  formed  by  the  union  of  three  plane 
obtuse  angles.  This  body  being  nearest  to  a  sphere,  represents 
the  fifth  Platonic  body,  or  the  UNIVERSE. 

Therefore,  not  only  do  we  have  represented,  geometrically,  in 
the  Companion's  jewel,  as  read  by  the  aid  of  the  Triple  Tau,  the 
four  elements,  FIRE,  AIR,  EARTH  and  WATER,  and  also  the  UNI- 
VERSE, but  it  further  symbolizes  eternity,  immortality,  and  above 
all,  the  sacred  name  of  God,  the  Father  Almighty. 

As  we  use  the  Pickaxe  to  loosen  the  earth,  the  Crowbar  as  a 
lever,  and  the  Shovel  to  clear  away  the  rubbish,  so  spiritually,  the 

Fig.  18 


Pickaxe,  Crowbar  and  Shovel 
44 


stroke  of  the  Pick  reminds  us  of  the  last  trump,  when  the  grave 
shall  give  up  its  dead  ;  the  Crowbar  points  out  the  erect  manner  in 
which  the  body  shall  rise  on  that  last  day  ;  while  the  Shovel  de- 
picts the  manner  in  which  the  body  is  laid  in  the  grave  ;  all 
under  the  hope  that  the  spirit  shall  rise  to  life  eternal. 

Fig.  19 


Carbuncle 
Levi 

Topaz 

SlMEOM 

Ruby 
RcuefN 

Olomond 
Zeouuwt 

Sopphire 

Emerafd 

JvOAH 

/AmelhySt 

Agate 

NaPht-vvi 

Hyacinlh 
Oan 

Jasper 
Benjanih 

Or^yx 
Joseph 

Beryl 

AjHER 

Anaogement  of  Ancient  Jewish  Breastplate 

The  twelve  stones  of  the  breastplate  (Fig.  19)  worn  by  the 
High  Priest  refer  to  the  twelve  tribes  of  Israel,  namely,  Reuben, 
Simeon,  Levi,  Judah,  Issachar,  Zebulun,  Dan,  Naphtali,  Gad, 
Asher,  Joseph,  Benjamin.  It  has  been  well  said  that  "The 
number  twelve  is  divine,  and  that  thereby  the  Celestials  are 
measured." 

For  there  are  twelve  months  in  the  year,  twelve  apostles, 
twelve  signs  in  the  Zodiac,  twelve  angels  governing  the  signs, 
twelve  superior  gods  and  twelve  inferior,  twelve  principal  mem- 
bers of  the  body,  and  in  ancient  Masonry  there  were  twelve 
original  points  of  entrance,  corresponding  to  the  several  tribes,  as 
Reuben,  opening ;  Simeon,  preparing ;  Levi,  report ;  Judah,  en- 
trance ;  Zebulun,  prayer ;  Issachar,  circumambulation  ;  Dan,  ad- 
vancing ;  Gad,  obligation  ;  Asher,  intrusting ;  Naphtali,  invest- 
ment ;  Joseph,  N.  E.  Corner ;  Benjamin,  closing. 

The  twelve  stones  were  sardius,  or  ruby,  topaz,  carbuncle, 
emerald,  sapphire,   diamond,    hyacinth,    agate,    amethyst,    beryl, 


45 


onyx,  jasper.  Each  stone  was  cut  with  six  facets  or  sides,  mak- 
ing 72  in  all,  and  upon  each  facet  was  engraved  one  of  the  72 
names  of  God. 

One  of  the  ancient  names  of  God  so  engraved  upon  the  breast- 
plate was  Ja,  the  Chaldean  name  for  God,  meaning  "  His  essence 
in  majesty  incomprehensible."  It  is  also  a  Hebrew  word  signi- 
fying "  I  am  and  shall  be."  It  was  written  by  the  Jews,  Jah,  or 
Jehovah,  and  otherwise,  Jevo,  and  Javo.  In  Latin  it  appears  as 
Jove  or  Jupiter. 

Dens,  another  name  engraved,  is  the  Latin  word  usually  used 
to  signify  God. 

Another  form  is  Bel,  a  Syraic  word  signifying  "  Lord "  or 
"  Powerful." 

In  Chaldean,  it  appears  as  Bel-us,  in  Britain  as  Bel,  or  Bel- 
enus,  Britain  itself  being  called  Velynys,  the  island  of  Bel ; 
among  the  Goths  as  Balder ;  among  the  Sidouians  as  Baal  or 
Beelzebub,  and  among  the  Caananites,  as  Baal,  the  Sun. 

Theos,  the  Greek  word  for  God,  also  was  engraved  upon  the 
breastplate.  On,  an  Egyptian  word  signifying  "  Father  of  All," 
was  a  fourth  form.  It  was  equivalent  to  Osiris.  On  was  also 
the  name  of  an  Egyptian  City  called  "  House  of  the  Sun."  The 
Greeks  called  it  Heliopolis  or  "  City  of  the  Sun."  The  original 
meaning  of  the  word  On  was  Sun.  The  Chaldeans  had  a  god 
Cannes ;  the  Philistines  called  their  God  Dagon. 

In  India  AUM  refers  to  the  Deity  in  His  triple  capacity  of 
Creator,  Preserver,  and  Destroyer,  or  Brahma,  Vishnu  and 
Siva,  originally  referring  to  the  heat,  light  and  flame  of  the  sun. 

So  the  word  Solomon  is  by  some  referred  to  as  meaning  the 
Sun,  or  Sun-king,  in  three  different  languages,  Sol,  Latin  ;  Om, 
Chaldean  ;  On,  Egyptian.* 

The  mallet  used  by  Masons  should  be  the  triangular  shaped 
stone  hammer    (Fig.  20),  not  the  setting  maul,  nor  the  hammer 


♦Note —  Fide  interesting  article  on  the  TetrEigrammaton,  etc.,  by 
M.  E.  Alfred  F.  Chapman,  Grand  High  Priest  of  the  Grand  Royal  Arch 
Chapter  of  Massachusetts,  in  Proceedings  of  Grand  Chapter  for  year 
1872,  page  33. 


46 


of  the  auctioneer.  As  an  emblem  of  authority  it  refers  to  the 
famous  hammer  of  Thor,  in  Scandinavian  mythology,  from  whom 
we  derive  Thor's  day,  or  Thursday.  It  was  otherwise  called  the 
Swastika ;    the  Fylfot  or  Jaina  Cross ;  two  boomerangs  crossed 

Fig.  20 


The  Masonic  Gavel 

saltire  fashion  —  for,  as  a  boomerang,  it  invariably  returned  to 
the  thrower's  hand.     (Fig.  21.) 

Fig.  21 


Swastika 

The  oldest  symbol  in  the  world,  the  Swastika  was  wrought  on 
the  breast  of  Buddha  ;  the  mark  of  Woden,  from  whom  we 
derive  Woden's  day,  or  Wednesday  ;  found  traced  on  vases  from 

47 


the  tombs  of  Troy ;  engraved  on  the  swords  of  Vikings  buried  by 
the  sea,  in  Scandinavia ;  depicted  on  triangular  aprons  of  savage 
tribes  in  Brazil,  and  on  the  Aztec  calendar  stone  in  Mexico  ; 
drawii  by  martyr  Christians  on  the  walls  of  the  Catacombs,  in 
Rome  ;  and  is  found  everywhere  on  the  monuments  of  Egypt, 
Assyria,  India  and  Peru,  and  even  among  the  mound  builders  on 
the  Ohio.  Its  four  arms  refer  to  the  four  stages  of  human  life, 
childhood,  youth,  manhood  and  old  age,  and  above  all  allude  to 
the  sacred  number  four,  the  four  letters  of  the  Tetragrammaton, 

Fig.  22 


Anointed  High  Priest's  Jewel.     Front  View 

or  the  sacred  and  ineffable  name  of  God  that  is  engraved  on  the 
breastplate  (Figs.  22  and  23)  of  the  anointed  High  Priest. 

Fig.  23 


Anointed  High  Priest's  Jewel.     Rear  View 

The  term  Companion,  applied  to  Royal  Arch  Masons,  refers 
to  the  Companionship  of  the  ancient  Jews  during  the  captivity  at 
Babylon,  after  the  destruction  of  the  first  Temple. 


48 


As  Masons,  recalling  the  long  years  of  glorious  labors  for 
humanity  through  which  our  ancient  institution  has  passed,  may 
we  not,  in  presaging  thought,  emulate  the  dreamer,  who 

"  Stands  within  the  shadow  of  the  night, 
But  looks  beyond  it  toward  the  coming  light, 
And  sees,  far  off,  with  tranced,  prophetic  eyes, 
The  consummation  of  the  centuries." 

John  E.  Dolsen. 

For  we  know  that  in  the  living  Masonry  of  today  that  is  build- 
ing so  surely  for  the  future ;  in  the  hearty  handclasp  of  Brother 
and  Companion  ;  in  that  broader  knowledge  and  abiding  trust 
born  here  within  these  walls  of  mystery ;  in  the  close  heart- 
unions  that  flower  so  radiantly  here  in  the  shadow  of  the  Royal 
Arch,  and  ripen  into  lifelong  friendships ; 

"  There  are  a  thousand  nameless  ties 
Which  only  such  as  feel  them  know ; 
Of  kindred  thoughts,  deep  sympathies, 
And  untold  fancy  spells  which  throw 
O'er  ardent  minds  and  faithful  hearts 
A  charm  whose  virtue  but  imparts 
Its  force  in  those  fond  words  —  my  friend." 

Finally,  my  Companions,  if  we  shall  fail  to  exemplify  in  our 
own  lives  these  profound  truths  of  our  ancient  Craft,  and  shall  re- 
gard their  sublime  presentation  in  our  Degrees  as  matter  of  mere 
entertainment ;  if  we  shall  fail  to  listen  to  and  to  heed  the  faint 
cries  of  the  distressed  widows  and  orphans  as  eagerly  as  we  do 
the  summons  to  the  banquet  hall ;  if  we  shall  fail  to  greet  our 
Companion  in  his  time  of  trouble  and  distress  with  the  heart  as 
well  as  with  the  hand ;  if  we  shall  forget  that  as  Masons,  and  es- 
pecially as  Royal  Arch  Masons  who  have  knelt  with  humble 
and  contrite  hearts  before  the  holy  altar  of  Masonry  in  the 
Royal  Arch  Degree,  we  should  prove  to  the  world  our  con- 
secration to  our  faith  through  the  purity  of  our  lives,  and  that 
for  us  profanity  and  immorality  are  impossible ;  if  we  shall  so 
fail  and  so  forget,  then  shall  Masonry  fail  in  its  mission  and  pass 
to  decay  and  oblivion  ;  its  great  temples  become  ruined  and  dis- 
mantled ;    its  great  arches   crumbling   piles    of   stone ;  its  great 

49 


pillars  of  wisdom,  strength  and  beauty  broken  and  overthrown,  to 
lie  buried  and  forgotten  beneath  the  sands  of  time.  But  if  we 
shall  keep  with  knightly  faith  the  trust  reposed  in  us  and  shall 
uphold,  in  its  pristine  purity  and  simplicity,  the  ancient  faith  of 
the  Fathers,  then  shall  Masonry  continue,  for  untold  ages  to 
come,  its  labors  of  pure  beneficence  among  the  children  of  men. 

When,  at  the  end  of  a  well-spent  life,  the  silver  cord  shall  be 
loosed,  may  the  soul  of  our  loved  Companion  sail  safely  in  its 
shallow  barque  under  the  Royal  Arch  of  Truth,  illumined  by 
the  ineffable  glory  of  "  that  name  that  no  man  knoweth,"  into 
the  boundless  realms  of  immortality  ! 

"  Beyond  the  sunset's  golden  bars, 
Beyond  the  twilight  and  the  stars, 
Beyond  the  midnight  and  the  dark, 
Sail  on!    sail  on !  O  happy  barque. 
Into  the  dawn  of  that  tomorrow. 
Where  hearts  shall  find  an  end  of  sorrow. 
And  love  shall  find  its  own.'* 


50 


Address  Delivered  September  5,  1912 


Address  delivered  Sept.  5,  1912,  before  the  Grand  Holy- 
Royal  Arcli  Chapter  of  Pennsylvania,  at  Masonic  Temple, 
Philadelphia. 

Most  Excellent  Grand  High  Priest  Smith  and  Companions  of  this 
Grand  Holy  Royal  Arch  Chapter  of  Pennsylvania:  — 

On  belialf  of  my  associates  and  myself  I  thank  you  for  the  ex- 
treme courtesy  and  warmth  of  your  welcome,  which  touch  our 
very  heart-strings. 

As  pilgrims  to  a  holy  shrine,  we  come  from  the  Colony,  Prov- 
ince and  Commonwealth  of  Massachusetts,  — "  Land  of  many 
hills," —  to  this  City  of  Brotherly  Love,  among  the  sylvan  vales  of 
the  ancient  land  of  Penn  ;  to  this  historic  sister  Colony,  Province 
and  Commonwealth,  to  bring  the  warm  greetings  of  twenty-three 
thousand  devoted  Royal  Arch  Masons  under  the  obedience  of  our 
Grand  Royal  Arch  Chapter,  to  the  Companions  of  your  Grand 
Holy  Royal  Arch  Chapter  here  assembled. 

I  am  sure  that  you  will  be  glad  to  know  that  we  brought  from 
Boston,  the  birthplace  of  Franklin,  a  wreath  of  remembrance, 
which  today,  through  your  courtesy,  with  reverence  and  affection 
we  have  laid  upon  his  grave  here  in  the  city  he  loved.  We  have, 
further,  tenderly  placed  a  similar  wreath  at  the  monument  at  Val- 
ley Forge  erected  by  Massachusetts  to  the  memory  of  her  soldiers 
who  suffered  there.  These  fragrant  memories  of  self-sacrificing 
patriotism  of  the  past  bind  our  great  Commonwealths  together  by 
indissoluble  bonds.  Boston  and  Philadelphia  both  may  well, 
glory  in  their  unrivalled  possession  of  immortal  shrines  of  patriot- 
ism, that  are  such  potent  magnets  of  attraction  to  all  American 
born,  —  to  all  lovers  of  liberty  everywhere.  Under  the  Scarlet 
Banner  of  the  Chapter,  also,  Pennsylvania  and  Massachusetts 
have  both  kept  the  ancient  faith  of  the  fathers  untarnished ;  the 
Masonry,  pure  and  undefiled  that  Washington  knew  and  loved. 

To  you  who  have  so  faithfully  kept  the  trust  reposed  in  you, 
we    from    Massachusetts    bring  greeting  in    fraternity,  with  our 

51 


strong  assurance  of  good-will  and  high  confidence  in  your  con- 
tinued devotion  to  the  God-given  principles  that  flourish  under 
the  Royal  Arch. 

Companions,  have  we  not  a  right,  an  inherent  as  well  as 
traditional  right,  to  be  proud  of  the  Chapter,  and  all  that  it 
means  to  us  ;  to  glory  in  its  rich  and  splendid  symbolism  ;  to  re- 
joice in  the  magnificence  of  its  ceremonials,  to  humble  our  hearts 
in  contriteness  under  its  sublime  teachings  of  the  Truths  of  God  ? 

As  the  great  modern  thinker,  Maeterlinck,  well  says :  — 

"  Of  that  perfect,  ideal  that  each  of  us  strives  to  build  up  in 
himself,  the  sum  total  of  all  our  thoughts  will  help  only  to  model 
the  outline ;  but  the  elements  that  go  to  construct  it,  and  keep  it 
alive,  are  the  purified  passion,  unselfishness,  loyalty,  wherein 
these  thoughts  have  had  being.  The  extent  of  our  love  for  the 
thing  which  we  hold  to  be  true  is  of  greater  importance  than 
even  the  trutli  itself." —  (In  Wisdom  and  Destiny.) 

So,  as  we  who  love  Masonry  recall  the  unbroken  lines  of  its 
masters  and  teachers  reaching  back  through  the  centuries  until 
their  faint  receding  shadows  are  lost  in  the  mists  of  antiquity,  we 
also  realize  their  potent  spirit  of  devotion  to  and  unquestioning 
belief  in  our  ancient  institution,  that  has  ever  held  it  to  be  the 
handmaid  of  the  Almighty,  upholding  Truth,  teaching  obedience 
to  His  laws,  and  reverence  for  His  Holy  Name. 

Franklin,  Boston's  greatest  son,  Grand  Master  of  Masons  in 
Pennsylvania ;  Washington  on  his  knees  at  prayer  in  the  snow  at 
Valley  Forge ;  LaFayette  bringing  the  moral  support  of  a  great 
nation  in  our  time  of  need;  Warren  dying  at  Bunker  Hill, —  all 
Masons,  all  Royal  Arch  Masons,  in  their  lives  of  patriotic  en- 
deavor exhibited  that  character  that  is  the  essential  attribute  of 
Masonry  —  and  we  may  well  remember  and  express  equal  de- 
votion to  her  teachings.  Does  not  Masonry  ever  speak  to  us  in 
uplifting  terms  well  expressed  by  a  great  preacher  : 

''  My  Father,  may  I  lift  my  eyes  to  the  hills !  May  I  not  be 
satisfied  with  the  standards  of  the  plains !  May  I  seek  my  ideals 
in  the  mount!  May  I  breathe  the  mountain  air  even  when  I 
walk  the  valleys  of  time  !  " 

John  Henry  Jowett. 


Ever  the  Scarlet  Banner  of  Zeal  leads  us  onward  to  the 
heights,  and  therefore  he  who  has  labored  among  the  rums  in 
the  shadow  of  the  Royal  Arch  ;  he  who  has  listened  to  the 
simple  and  beautiful  lessons  of  the  "  Mark  "  and  felt  the  influence 
of  true  and  brotherly  charity  expanding  his  heart ;  he  who  on 
bended  knees  has  humbled  his  soul  before  the  cherubim  of  the 
Lord  among  the  glories  and  magnificence  of  His  great  Temple,  he 
may  well  learn  the  lessons  of  Masonry,  that  he  will  receive  in  the 
same  measure  that  he  gives.  For  he  who  enters  within  our 
guarded  gates  seeking  only  material  advantage  for  himself  will 
meet  and  receive  contempt  only  ;  but  he  who  rejoices  unfeignedly 
in  the  story  and  teachings  of  our  ancient  Craft,  and  takes  them  to 
his  heart  to  practise  in  his  own  life,  will  assuredly  win  the  esteem 
and  approval  of  his  fellows,  and  receive  a  thousand-fold  compen- 
sation for  all  his  sacrifices  in  their  affection  as  Brothers  and  Com- 
panions.    As  the  poet  has  well  said :  — 

"  Under  every  power  and  passion 
Stirs  the  element  divine ; 
If  I  grasp  the  moment's  meaning 
All  eternity  is  mine." 

Theo.  a  Williams. 

In  the  Chapter,  the  summit  and  crown  of  Ancient  Craft  Masonry, 
there  is  unfolded  a  panorama  of  surpassing  interest,  and  magnifi- 
cence of  ceremony  in  the  degrees,  illustrated  with  a  wealth  of  mystic 
symbolism. 

As  we  travel  wearily  over  the  rough  and  rugged  roads  of  Life's 
experiences  do  we  not  recall  remembrances  of  the  Chapter's  har- 
mony and  peace  and  quiet,  of  its  manifold  beauties  and  of  its  re- 
curring insistent  appeals  to  our  souls  for  right  living,  ever  remind- 
ing us  that  when  we  pass  the  white  veil  of  immorbdity  the  ineffable 
glory  of  that  name  that  no  man  knoweth  will  lead  us  near  the 
sparing  mercy  of  the  Infinite  One?  For  it  is  true,  as  expressed 
by  an  ancient  Persian  poet, 

"  Who  comes  to  God  an  inch  through  doublings  dim, 
In  blazing  light  He  will  approach  a  yard  toward  him." 

53 


The  circle,  triangle  and  Triple  Tau,  the  special  symbols  of  the 
Chapter,  are  most  striking  and  beautiful  expressions  of  its  search 
for  Truth,  for  the  circle  speaks  to  you  of  eternity ;  the  triangle  of 
Divine  attributes  ;  the  Triple  Tau,  in  its  mysterious  form,  of  many 
mystic  secrets  embodying  the  very  Shekinah  of  the  Presence  of  the 
Capitular  Rite  ;  while  all  three,  so  rich  and  lustrous  in  their  histories 
ever  symbolize  to  Royal  Arch  Masons  the  majesty  and  all-pervad- 
ing love  of  the  Father,  Omniscient,  Omnipotent  and  Omnipresent. 

As  we  look  upon  these  glorious  symbols,  representing  the  high- 
est aspirations  and  hidden  secrets  of  many  ancient  religions,  as 
we  see  ,the  white  keystone,  wrought  in  beauty  by  the  engraver's 
chisel,  reminding  us  of  that  divine  purity  and  perfection  of  char- 
acter we  should  ever  strive  to  attain,  may  we  not  breathe  the 
prayer : 

"  Great  Master,  touch  us  with  Thy  skilful  hand, 
Let  not  the  music  that  is  in  us  die ; 
Great  Sculptor,  hew  and  polish  us,  nor  let, 
Hidden  and  lost,  Thy  form  within  us  lie." 

Bonar. 

As  Royal  Arch  Masons  let  us  ever  keep  the  ancient  faith  of  our 
fathers  unsullied  and  unimpaired,  the  ancient  landmarks  un- 
changed and  unaltered ;  let  us  live  nearer  to  and  exemplify  our 
God-given  teachings  of  purity  of  life  and  speech ;  let  us  not  pro- 
fane the  Holy  of  Holies  by  un worthiness  in  any  form ;  let  us 
never  cater  or  bow  the  knee  to  the  low  or  ignoble ;  let  us  remem- 
ber that  Masonic  banquets  are  a  means  to  an  end,  not  the  end  it- 
self; let  us  conserve  our  resources  by  establishing  permanent 
funds  in  our  Chapters,  that  we  may  better,  and  in  larger  measure, 
during  the  centuries  yet  unrolled  by  the  hand  of  God,  redeem  our 
promises  of  charity  to  the  weak  and  suffering,  the  widows  and 
orphans  of  our  loved  Companions  who  have  passed  beyond  the 
veil ;  let  us  ever  remember  to  keep  with  knightly  faith  our  vows 
of  fraternity,  and  carry  into  our  own  homes  and  lives  the  gentle 
spirit  of  the  Fatherhood  of  God  that  is  found  in  our  ancient  mystic 
Brotherhood  of  Man  everywhere,  in  every  land,  from  the  Arctic 
snows    to   the   shifting   sands    of    the   desert;    from    Himalayan 

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heights  to  the  Golden  Gate  on  the  Pacific ;  from  the  palms  of  the 
Antipodes  to  the  swaying  shadows  of  the  pines  under  the  "  Mid- 
night Sun."     As  Masons  may  we  not  say  with  the  poet : 

'*  To  make  undying  music  in  the  world, 
Breathing  as  beauteous  order  that  controls. 
With  growing  sway  the  growing  life  of  man, 

This  is  life  to  come. 
Which  martyred  men  have  made  more  glorious 
For  us  who  strive  to  follow." 

George  Eliot. 


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UNIVERSITY  OF  CAUFORNIA  UBRARY 


